Nagaland issues revised SOP amid surge in Covid-19 cases; total lockdown to depend on situation

It came close on the heels of the 21st Inter-district Football Championship 2021 (Dr. T Ao Trophy) being suspended after Covid positive cases were detected.

The press conference was also attended by state’s spokesperson for Covid-19 and Minister Neiba Kronu and Home Commissioner, Abhijit Sinha.

What is permitted, what is not

Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam issued an order on Friday, stating that the government’s revised SOP should be strict implementation in the state with immediate effect. Here are revised SOP issued by the state government:

• Social gatherings – academic, entertainment, cultural, political and religious – are permitted outside the containment zones, but the crowd should be limited to 50% of the seating capacity, or 200 persons, whichever is lower; wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision of thermal screening and use of hand wash or sanitiser is mandatory.
• In open spaces, the upper limit on social gathering is 50% of the seating capacity wherever there are seating galleries, and in other cases, the limit on the gatherings will be decided by the size of the ground or venue. Strict adherence to social distancing, wearing of face masks, provision of thermal screening and hand wash or sanitiser is mandatory.
• In any public gathering, festivities of any kind should be kept at the bare minimum, and in case the number of persons in the gatherings in open spaces is more than 200, prior permission of the concerned DTF should be taken, which may impose additional restrictions depending on the local conditions.
• At religious places or places of worship, the upper limit on gatherings is 50% of the seating capacity or 200 persons, whichever is lower, and subject to strict adherence to all safety measures that are applied to other social events.
• Any intra-district sports events require prior permission from the respective DTF, which will ensure strict adherence to SOP and even impose additional restrictions if required. In case of bigger, or inter-district sports events, the requisite permission and necessary directions will be given by the Home department.
• Theatres, multiplexes and cinema halls are permitted to open outside the containment zones with 50% of the seating capacity subject to strict adherence of SOP.