Panaji (Goa)/Imphal (Manipur), April 23, 2020: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has called Goa a 'zero coronavirus case' State after the seventh patient tested negative here on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on April 20 (Monday) said that the state government has decided to relax the lockdown norms in rural areas since Manipur has now become COVID-19 free. However, lockdown would continue in urban areas until further orders.
"The second coronavirus patient of Tripura has been found negative after consecutive tests. Hence our state has become Corona free," Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb said on Thursday.
"As of April 3, no new COVID-19 positive case has been reported. The last patient tested negative today. It gives me immense pleasure to announce that as of now, there are no COVID-19 positive patients in the State," said Chief Minister Sawant while speaking to ANI on April 19.
He congratulated medical staff for their efforts, saying: "I congratulate all the medical staff at the COVID-19 hospital. The six patients -- who were foreign nationals --have been placed in the institutional quarantine centre and the seventh patient, who tested negative today, would be shifted there as well."
Thanking the survey team and the Goa Police, Chief Minister Sawant said: "I am also in awe of the survey team and the Goa Police team as well. It is because of them that we have become a 'zero COVID-19 case' State."
Sawant has urged people to follow the norms of social distancing, stating that the people of Goa have to maintain the status of 'zero case state'.
"I urge everyone to maintain social distancing and the lockdown rules which have been imposed by the Centre till May 3. The people have the responsibility to maintain the 'zero case' achievement till May 3," he said.
Talking about relaxations, Chief Minister Sawant said that the areas where relaxations are given would be in accordance with the Centre's guidelines.
"The declaring of Goa as a green zone would be done by the Central government. We have only conveyed the news of the situation in the state as of now," he added.
Lockdown to be relaxed in Manipur rural areas
"I would like to congratulate all the front-line fighters involved in the battle against COVID-19. With the support of the people and with the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Manipur is a COVID-19 free state now. But, considering the situation in other parts of the nation, we must be more careful in the near future," said Singh on April 20.
Speaking about the relaxation of lockdown norms in the state, the Chief Minister said: "We are going to relax the lockdown norms in rural areas. In urban areas, the lockdown will continue until a further decision is made. Essential commodities shops will open from 8 am to 2 pm, as opening of the lockdown has to be in phases, this could prevent chaos as people are not fully aware of the virus yet."
"The people who are coming out for work should maintain social distancing and wear masks at their workplace," he added.
According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are zero cases of coronavirus in Manipur now. Earlier, two positive coronavirus cases were reported in the state; both the patients have now recovered.