Take measures to fight COVID-19 even after lockdown period: Arunachal Pradesh CM

Itanagar, Apr 21 () Arunachal Pradesh ChiefMinister Pema Khandu on Tuesday urged BJP Mahila Morchamembers to spread awareness on the need to take precautionsagainst novel coronavirus even after the nationwide lockdownis lifted.

Once the lockdown period ends, people stranded outsidethe state will start arriving and that is when strict measuresare to be in place to stop spread of the novel coronavirus, hesaid in a video message.

Social distancing and mandatory use of face masksoutside homes are required to fight the coronavirus pandemicand it should be explained to the people, he said.

"Due to risk of the virus entering the state througha potential carrier coming from outside the state, 11 checkgates along the Assam-Arunachal border have been madeoperational while rest have been closed.

"The frontline workers on duty in these check gatesbeing provided with all safety kits and equipment,"an oficial communiqu quoted him as saying.

The chief minister reiterated that the state has noshortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and orderwould be placed for additional kits.

Khandu said, Arunachal will have two specializedCOVID-19 hospitals one in Itanagar (Western zone) andthe other in Pasighat (Eastern zone).

An Ayurveda institute has been identified as COVID-19hospital in Pasighat.

A suitable place would be identified as COVID-19hospital in an isolated area of the state capital so that theTomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS),presently designated as the lone COVID-19 facility in thestate, could once again become available to other patients.

This was the third such conference by Khandu withparty workers within a month.

BJP Mahila Morcha state president Higio Aruni waspresent during the video conference. UPLMM MM