No.381/2020-2021

As a part of Jan Andolan Campaign for COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Mizoram today launched 72 short messages on social media for COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour along with the celebrities roped in for the Jan Andolan Campaign.

These messages have been recorded in all the languages spoken in the state – Mizo, Lai, Mara, Hmar, Paite, Nepali, Bru and Chakma. Social media influencers, singers, artists, sports persons, athletes and footballers had been roped for the Social Media campaign. They posted these messages on their social media accounts at 9 AM this morning.  

The Department has been at the forefront of publicity and awareness on COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic in the state. The Department’s social media accounts are the most followed compared to the social media accounts of Information and Public Relations Departments of other North Eastern states. 

The daily updates and bulletins on COVID-19 that the Department releases are the most shared and forwarded posts over various Whatsapp groups and other social media. The talk shows produced by the Department where not just medical professionals but stake holders from various organizations and bodies discuss COVID-19 mitigation, containment, prevention, SOPs and also inform and educate the public about the pandemic are very popular and effective tools at disseminating awareness about COVID-19.

The concerted efforts of the government, NGOs and civil society including the Local Level Task Forces/Village Level Task Forces who in fact COVID-19 warriors at the community level in the fight against COVID-19 has paid dividends. For a long time, the state did not have deaths or serious cases and most cases were mild or asymptomatic cases. But with winter closing in, and 5 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the last one month and increase in symptomatic cases, the challenge will increase.

The Jan Andolan Campaign on social media focuses on simple things such as hand hygiene, social distancing, adherence to SOPs and government directives and calling helplines to prevent COVID-19 spread.