Editor's Pick
Nagaland issues strict guidelines to prevent spread of Covid-19
Dimapur, April 29 (EMN): In an attempt to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission and prevent its spread in the state, the Home department, government of Nagaland, on Thursday issued consolidated guidelines to be implemented across the state from April 30 to May 13.
The department has announced summer break for all schools, both government and private, within Nagaland till further notice, and hostels accommodating school students have also been directed to remain closed during the period. However, online and distance learning is permitted and encouraged.
It said a fine of INR 200 will be imposed on persons not wearing mask in public places, work places and during transport. Persons above 65 years of age, those with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years have also been advised to take necessary precautions.
Commercial activities
Hawkers and shops located at the crowded commercial areas like Hongkong Market, New Market in Dimapur and BOC Market in Kohima would be allowed to open but with 30% in a particular day.
Shopkeepers should keep sanitisers for customers and staff at all times and ensure that social distance is maintained.
Entry and exit
All inbound travellers or returnees can enter the state through Dimapur by train and other entry points including New Airfield Check Gate and Dillai Gate in Dimapur; Khuzama Check Gate in Kohima; Tsutapela and Watiyongpang in Mokokchung; Naginimora and Tizit in Mon; Bhandari in Wokha; Lanye and Akash Bridge in Phek.
Entry into the state through any other routes or any other mode is prohibited under any circumstances except with the approval of the Home department.
Those entering the state should produce negative RT-PCR/ TrueNat/ CBNAAT test report for Covid-19 test done not earlier than 72 hours prior to entry into the state and undergo seven days of self-isolation or quarantine; 10 days quarantine for other cases.
Inbound travellers have to fill self-declaration form which is available online (covid19.nagaland.gov.in) and also at entry points.
Goods vehicles transiting through the state will be allowed at the specified entry points after proper medical screening of the drivers and attendants, according to the new guidelines.
Transit passengers from north-eastern states arriving in Nagaland also should fill self-declaration form before proceeding to their destination without halting in the state.
The international border with Myanmar will remain sealed.
The department has directed village councils and urban local bodies, under the supervision of DTF, to identify any inter-state traveller arriving in their respective jurisdictions, report to the DTF and ensure that such persons undergo quarantine.
What will be prohibited
- All coaching, vocational centres and student hostels; summer break for both government and private schools in the state.
- Swimming pools, gymnasiums and entertainment parks
- Auditorium, theatre, assembly halls, sport complexes, stadiums, and similar places.
- Public places- parks, museums, recreational centres.
- Large gatherings — social, political, entertainment, academics, cultural, religious — permitted outside the containment zone with maximum 30% of the capacity of the hall/ venue or 100 persons, whichever is lower, with adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.
- Religious places of worship will be allowed to open outside the containment zones subject to 30% capacity at any point of time or 100 persons, whichever is lower.
- Intra and inter-district private and passenger vehicles shouldn’t carry more than 50% occupancy.
What will be allowed
- Movement of people within the state is permitted subject to SOP adherence.
- Shopping malls will continue to open outside the containment zone.
- Private banks, ATMs, pharmacies, medical clinics, nursing homes, private telecom services, internet service providers, media houses, LPG, petroleum outlets will be allowed to open outside the containment zone as per the existing arrangements.
- Hotels, lodges and restaurants will be allowed to open with strict adherence to conditions and provisions of the SOP for prevention of the spread of Covid-19.
- Barber shops and salons will open.
- Government offices like the Civil Secretariat and directorates in Kohima and Dimapur and all other government offices in the districts would continue to function with attendance of deputy secretary and above in the Secretariat, deputy director and above in the Directorate, and the head of offices and immediate juniors in the district offices. Others will work in roster with 50% staff.
- The district administration, police, security forces/agencies and medical and service providers like Treasury, Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guards and Defence, Prisons, PHED, Power, NIC, DIPR, Postal Services, Food and Civil Supplies, Social Welfare, IT&C, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Municipalities/ Councils, Doordarshan, and BSNL will continue to operate as per the current arrangements.
All the district task forces led by the deputy commissioners have been directed to enforce the measures as well as the national directives for Covid-19 management. Defaulters of the measures are punishable under Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other legal actions under Section 188 of the IPC.