By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati: Now among the northeastern states, only Sikkim remains a coronavirus free state. In the northeast also the corona is spreading its foot. The first cases of corona have been reported in Meghalaya and Nagaland. Nagaland patient is undergoing treatment at Guwahati Medical College, Assam. The corona virus continues to wreak havoc.Meghalaya reports first COVID-19 case, 48-hour curfew imposed in state capital.The Meghalaya government has imposed 48 hours curfew in Shillong with the first case of coronavirus being detected in the State capital on April 12, according to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

“Meghalaya has detected its first COVID-19 case in Shillong. This situation has come despite all the measures being taken by the government. In light of this, I urge citizens not to panic. We are closely monitoring the situation and we are prepared to deal with it. We have imposed complete curfew in Shillong for the next 48 hours,” Sangma said. The government has asked all the people who have visited the hospital on or before March 22 to come forward. It has also asked people to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus.

“It is quite surprising for us. We have a challenge now in front of us,” Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.The Meghalaya government has decided to extend the lockdown till April 30. It has also banned inter-district and inter-state movement, and has decided to allow farming in rural areas.The coronavirus case came a day after Nagaland had its first case. Now among the northeast states, only Sikkim remains coronavirus-free.Meanwhile, in Assam’s Dhubri, a person linked to the Tablighi Jamaat event in the national capital was tested positive on Monday, Health Minister Himanata Biswa Sarma said. The state has recorded 30 cases and one death.In Mizoram, the Zoramthanga government announced extension of the lockdown period by two weeks. It also released new guidelines to consolidate the gains made in the fight against coronavirus.”Only state-run buses would be allowed to operate on the roads. If the contractors seek permission for their construction activities they would be allowed to do so. However, migrant labourers cannot be employed and government guidelines in view of the COVID-19 pandemic must be followed,” Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar said.Meanwhile, although no patient of corona has been found in Sikkim so far, the government has imposed restrictions on foreign tourists as a precautionary measure. Similarly, domestic tourists have also been prohibited from issuing permits for Nathula Outpost along the China border, which is a major attraction for tourists in the state.As a result, domestic tourists are now turning their backs on the state. On the other hand, Bhutan decided to impose a ban on all tourists for two weeks after an American tourist confirmed the corona.