Nagaland govt. employees required to vaccinate or produce Covid negative report to attend office

Dimapur, July 17 (EMN): Following the announcement of ‘Unlock-3’ from July 18 to August 1 with some relaxation to lockdown restrictions and re-opening of more activities, the government of Nagaland has issued guidelines for its employees in the Nagaland Civil Secretariat and Directorates for strict compliance in the interest of public health and safety.

The order issued via DIPR stated that all employees in the Nagaland Civil Secretariat and Directorates will be required to be vaccinated to attend office, or produce Covid-19 negative test report every 15 days through either RT-PCR, TrueNat or CBNAAT on self payment as per government approved rates.

“The salaries of those who have not taken a single dose of vaccine against Covid-19 or who have failed to furnish Covid-19 negative test report will be stopped beyond 31st July 2021 and they will not attend office. The period of absence of such employees will be treated as leave without pay,” read the order.

It went on to inform that administrative head of departments and head of departments will enforce the directive, and submit report to the Home department on or before 15th of every month, about the status of vaccination or submission of Covid negative test report all the employees and the salaries deducted on account of staff availing leave without pay, until further notice.

It may be mentioned that with Unlock-3 in place, colleges in the state will be allowed to reopen from July 26 provided teachers and non-teaching staff are vaccinated or produce Covid-19 negative report and follow all the SOPs. Schools can also reopen for classes 11 and 12 from August 2 subject to vaccination status of the teachers and staff.