A total lockdown was clamped down in the Mirik subdivision from Friday through July 1 as 10 Covid-19 cases were reported in and the around the hill town.
“A number of coronavirus cases were reported in Mirik in the past few days. We are urging people not to panic. But simultaneously, we have decided to close down markets and other commercial establishments in the Mirik subdivision for the next seven days. People have to stay at home and unless there is an emergency, they should not venture out to Siliguri,” said Mirik SDO Ashwini Roy.
Mirik is located around 50km Siliguri.
“We want to make it clear that if any person is found returning from outside the subdivision or wandering in the town without any reason, appropriate action will be taken against him/her,” the SDO added.
Banks, healthcare facilities and other emergency services would be open during the lockdown, said sources.
The sources said 10 coronavirus cases had been reported in the Mirik subdivision so far. The patients include a doctor of Mirik block hospital and three nurses.
The authorities have decided to send a team of 28 people — comprising 19 ICDS workers and nine health workers of the civic body — to all houses in the Mirik municipal area on June 30 and July 1 to check if any resident has Covid-19 symptoms.
On Thursday, the SDO and other officials held a meeting with civic authorities, including Mirik municipal chairman L.B. Rai.
“The objective of the lockdown is to restrict the infection in and around Mirik town. For the next seven days, I would like to request all the residents to restrict their movement and not to leave their homes unless required,” said Rai.
The sources have said the Mirik town and the subdivision are entirely dependent on Siliguri.
“We have information that around 250 coronavirus and 14 deaths have been reported in Siliguri so far. That is why we are restricting the movement of the residents,” said Rai.
Malda recorded 25 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. The patients include seven policemen, an employee of the district collectorate and an office-bearer of a trade body.