Coronavirus: Manipur, Mizoram impose ban on Chinese imports

Imphal/Aizawl : Amid fears over the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) across the country, Manipur and Mizoram governments have imposed restrictions on imports of foodstuffs and other items from China, Myanmar and other South-East Asian countries, officials said on Friday.

Officials in Imphal said that the Manipur Health and Family Welfare Department has issued notification restricting on production, distribution, sale of any packed food products, which are not marked and labeled properly as per regulations or packed and produced in China, Myanmar and other South-East Asian countries.

"The Chinese food and various other products including second-hand or used clothes are sold in the bordering markets of India-Myanmar along Manipur. People have been advised not to purchase or use these items," the official said.

Meanwhile, a district official said that following the outbreak of N2019-nCoV, the district authorities have decided to close the international trade route through the two border villages under the border district of Ukhrul (in eastern Manipur) to Myanmar as a preventive measure from February 9.

"The villagers themselves also have decided to shut the Tusom-Somra road to prevent foreign traders from entering India as well as Indian traders to go to the border markets," the official said.