OUR REPORTER AIZAWL, OCT 29
Schools to re-open for classes 10 and 12 in AMC area
The Mizoram government on Friday issued new Covid-19 guidelines with a few more relaxations in the curbs to be enforced in Aizawl Municipality Corporation (AMC) area and other parts of the state. The new guidelines will come into force from October 31 to November 30, a government order said. Among new relaxations according to the new guidelines, schools and hostels will now be allowed to reopen fully in AMC area for students of classes 10 and 12, who are appearing for board examinations next year. Schools and hostels hitherto were closed in AMC area.
In Covid-19 free town and villages outside AMC area, the government has already allowed the re-opening of schools (for KG to class 12) and anganwadi centres on August 15.
Other educational institutions, including colleges, have also been reopened in COVID-19 free areas outside AMC since September 5.
Places of worship will continue to open in all parts of the state and now worship service is allowed during day and night times with 50 per cent sitting capacity, while morning and evening devotions (prayer) are also permitted, the guidelines said. However, congregational service in the church is allowed only during the daytime in all parts of the state, it said. Unlike before, this time the guidelines did not specify any specific day on which churches will be opened for congregational services. Earlier, congregational services were allowed only on Sundays and Sabbaths (Saturdays) during day time.
Singing is strictly prohibited during church services or congregations, the guidelines said.
In areas outside AMC, deputy commissioners will issue separate guidelines depending on the Covid-19 situation of the areas, it said. However, villages and towns are permitted to fully re-open education institutions under the arrangement of concerned deputy commissioner in consultation with district level officers of the health department and other concern departments and village task forces, the guidelines said. SOP prepared by the concerned department will be strictly followed, it said.
Night curfew will continue to be imposed in all district headquarters, including state capital Aizawl, between 9 pm and 4 am. As per the recommendation of the State Level Expert Team on COVID-19 Management deputy commissioners will declare micro containment zones and other restrictions within their districts depending upon the local COVID-19 situation and necessity, the guidelines also said
(Source: The Mizoram Post Vol 19 Issue 150 Aizawl Saturday 30 October http://www.themizorampost.net/page-view?date=30-10-2121&page_no=1)