Nagaland government issues revised SOP for travellers, tourists

Dimapur, Nov. 8 (EMN): In view of the Covid-19 situation improving over the past few months and the increasing coverage of vaccination across the country, the government of Nagaland has issued a revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for travellers and tourists entering the state.

The move came as the weekly Covid-19 positivity rate in the state dipped to 2.2%.

The revised SOP for travellers will supersede the government’s earlier orders and will come into effect from November 11, 2021, till further orders, according to an update from DIPR.

Revised SOP

Points of Entry (PoE): All the travellers and tourists entering Nagaland will undergo Covid-19 screening test at Dimapur Airport, Dimapur Railway Station, Dimapur- New Field Check Gate and Dillai Gate, Kohima- Khuzama, Mokokchung- Tsutapela and Watiyongpang, Mon-Naginimora and Tizit, Wokha- Bhandari, Phek- Lanye Junction and Akash Bridge.

Those not required to be tested

The following persons on entering the Nagaland will not be required to be tested at the PoE or required to quarantine and may proceed with their normal routine after entry while following Covid-appropriate behaviour:

• Asymptomatic and above 18 years of age, and fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (taken both the doses). The person should produce proof of Covid vaccination in soft or hard copy or SMS from AX-NHPSMS at the PoE.
• Asymptomatic and above 18 years of age, hasn’t taken any dose of vaccine against Covid-19, or taken only the first dose, or between 12 years and 18 years of age, should carry a negative Covid-19 test report done through RT-PCR/Truenat/CBNAAT, with the swab given for testing not earlier than three days from the day of travel.
• Children below 12 years of age, accompanying their parents/guardians/adult caregivers on entry into the state will not be required to be tested or quarantined provided they are asymptomatic.
• Asymptomatic and transiting to another state (Assam or Manipur), without any stopover anywhere in Nagaland. The person concerned should produce the ticket for the onward journey or proof of self-arranged vehicle, proof of address in the other state, and further while transiting should observe Covid-appropriate behaviour and norms at all times.

Those required to be tested

• Any traveller or tourist entering Nagaland, who is symptomatic, even if satisfying the conditions of vaccination and Covid testing taken three days prior to the travel, will be required to undergo testing for Covid-19 on payment as per the government approved rates at the PoE.
• Any traveller or tourist entering Nagaland who is asymptomatic but hasn’t taken two doses of vaccine against Covid-19, or has taken only the first dose, and doesn’t carry a negative test report of Covid-19, will be required to undergo testing for Covid-19 on payment as per the government approved rates at the PoE.

Those required to be quarantined

• After collection of sample for Covid testing, the traveller or tourist person concerned will be allowed to leave, subject to the condition that he or she remains in home or paid quarantine till the test result is declared, which will be conveyed to the person concerned through SMS, email or phone call via contact details submitted at the PoE.
• If the test result is positive, the person concerned will have to undergo isolation at home or at a paid facility till recovery, or will be admitted at a government or private hospital depending on the medical condition.
• The person(s), if any, accompanying any inbound traveller, who has tested positive, will also be required to undergo quarantine at home or at a paid facility for the number of days as decided by the examining doctors.
• If the test result is negative, the person concerned can come out of quarantine and may proceed further with his or her normal routine while following the SOP.
• The concerned District Task Force should put in place a mechanism for facilitating the testing at the PoE, isolation at paid facility, or admission at health institution, as advised by the examining doctors. Home isolation may be permitted if there are provisions for separate room and toilet.

Dignitaries, senior govt. officials

• In case of dignitaries and senior government officials entering the state, the Home department will provide necessary facilitation and make arrangements for testing/isolation/quarantining as the case maybe.

Military personnel

• In case of officers/ staff / personnel of military/para military entering the state, the respective units will make arrangements at the PoE for screening, and testing or admission in a health facility or isolation as applicable and required for their personnel in line with the provisions laid down for any traveller entering the state. The unit can contact the respective DTF for any assistance if required.

According to the revised SOP, the village councils or urban local Bodies under the supervision of DTF in their local jurisdictions will monitor any breach of isolation/quarantine norms or Covid-appropriate behaviour by the persons concerned and immediately bring to the notice of the Sub-Divisional Task Force or the DTF for taking suitable action.

‘The SOP will be uniformly implemented throughout the state without any deviation and will not be modified by district task force, urban local bodies, village authorities or community-based organisations,’ read the update.

“Any person violating the instructions in the SOP will be liable to be prosecuted against as per the relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act 2005, besides action under section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable,” it added.