Nagaland announces Unlock-3; colleges to reopen, no restrictions for vaccinated tourists

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 16 (EMN): The government of Nagaland on Friday announced ‘Unlock-3’ from July 18 to August 1 with more relaxation to lockdown restrictions after a semi-virtual meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Covid-19 chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

The decision of the HPC was announced at a press conference held in Nagaland Civil Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima, by state government’s spokespersons on Covid-19 Neiba Kronu and Mmhonlumo Kikon, Advisor for Election and Technical Education, Medo Yhokha, and Principal Secretary of Home, Abhijit Sinha.

Kronu, who is also the minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, said that the HPC had taken the recommendations of the district task forces before deciding on Unlock-3 for another 15 days.

He announced that colleges in the state will be allowed to reopen from July 26, provided the teaching and non-teaching staff is vaccinated against Covid-19. He added that it would also work on re-opening of schools, for which the stakeholders have been asked to be prepared by getting vaccinated.

Kikon, who is also the Advisor for IT, Science and Technology, NRE, informed that schools have been given time till August 1 to prepare for a phase-wise resumption of classes, mainly for the higher grades, on the condition that staff and faculty are educational institutions are vaccinated.

He informed that a lot of requests have being received from colleges for resumption of classroom learning and their plea has being considered. However, he said staff should be fully vaccinated or taken at least a single dose within a minimum of 15 days or produce Covid-19 negative report for colleges to reopen.

The spokesperson also stated that it would encourage students who have attained 18 years to take vaccine and colleges would be encouraged to start vaccination in the campuses with the help of the government agencies and district task forces.

However, it was informed that the government is yet to take a call on the SOPs for Nursery to Class 10 when schools reopen.

Regarding the staff of the Nagaland Civil Secretariat and Directorates, it was informed that offices would continue to operate and the attendance will be based on vaccination status, with pre-condition that those who are fully vaccinated will not be required to produce negative RT-PCR test report but the unvaccinated employees have to produce Covid-negative report every 15 days in the civil secretariat and directorate in order to prevent the spread of the virus and safety of co-workers.

On this, the concerned head of departments (HoDs) will enforce the SOP to ensure the safety of all staff of offices.

Pointing out that vaccination status in the civil secretariat that is still low, Kikon said, “We need more of our employees to come forward and take the vaccination”. He added that there was no shortage of vaccine.

Informing that vaccination status in the secretariat is only 25%, Kronu said that the government would be forced to take more stringent measures if the employees don’t take the vaccine.

No restriction for fully vaccinated tourists

With regard to movement of people and protocols followed at the railway station, the minister informed that the returnees, inbound travellers and tourists, who are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated against Covid-19, will not be required to be tested at the entry points or to undergo quarantine.

For those who have taken the first dose of Covid vaccine and have completed 15 days after receiving the jab, testing at the point of entry will not be required but have to undergo quarantine for seven days.

It was informed that those who have not received even a single dose have to undergo Covid-9 test (on payment) at the point of entry and further undergo seven days of quarantine. It said the department concerned would issue a detailed SOP on this.

SOPs for inter-district movement

The inter-district movement of persons for non-essential services, including private journey by private vehicle will be allowed, provided the occupants, including the driver are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated or have completed 15 days after taking the first dose. It is mandatory for the occupants to produce their vaccination certificates or the RT-PCR test report.

The active caseload in the state has decreased but owing to the rise in new cases in the last one week, business establishments and taxi drivers will continue to display vaccination status as a precautionary measure and the DTFs will enforce.

Further, the number of people allowed in public and religious gatherings remains the same at 100 persons for outdoor events and 50 persons for indoor, provided Covid-appropriate behaviours are followed.

Meanwhile, Advisor Yhokha urged the people to collectively work towards containing the spread of Covid-19 in the state and requested the citizens to be more responsible.