Nagaland: No changes in lockdown guidelines yet

Dimapur, May 2 (EMN): The government of Nagaland has announced that existing guidelines for lockdown, in force since April 20, would continue to remain operative across the state until a fresh one is issued. 

Minister for Planning and Co-ordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu, who is also one of the state government’s spokespersons on Covid-19, reminded that agricultural activities are completely exempted from any kind of lockdown restrictions.

“This is the sowing season, and every farmer of our state is urged to come out and carry out all the farming activities while maintaining social distancing. All concerned are also requested to ensure that the farming activities are carried out without any hindrances,” he said.

Kronu also informed that the chief minister, along with the deputy chief minister, speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, ministers, leader of opposition, advisors, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs, and the members of NLA discussed the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the state in a meeting held on Saturday.

“The chief secretary, Nagaland also gave an overview of the various steps taken by the government since the emergence of Covid-19 as a threat, and informed of the various measures initiated for improving the level of preparedness of the state for combating Covid-19. In the health sector, the department concerned gave details of the steps taken for increasing their capabilities and the improvements carried out in the existing health infrastructure for combating the dreaded virus.

“The additional chief secretary and finance commissioner gave an overview of the state of finances of the state in the wake of pandemic and the lockdown, and actions taken for mobilisation of additional resources along with initiation of some of austerity measures for cutting down on expenditure. The Food and Civil Supplies department also informed of the releases of PDS foodgrains as well as the relief rice during the lockdown period,” he said.

According to Kronu, legislators from the ruling as well as the opposition parties present in the meeting actively participated in the discussion and shared opinions on the strategy to be followed for further improving the level of preparedness at all levels in the state for fighting Covid-19.

Till date, the Health department has received nine consignments of medical supplies via the Indian Air Force, and 13 consignments by road, he informed.

“We also received another two consignments by Air, of the equipments for the upcoming BSL-3 Lab at Kohima and the BSL-2 Lab at Dimapur. We now have more than 50,000 PPE, about 2,75,000 triple layer masks, and more than 40,000 N95 masks in the state. We are continuously in the process of further strengthening our medical infrastructure and increasing our capabilities.

“I would also like to inform that in order to facilitate surveillance to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, the Health department in collaboration with the Police has started digital monitoring of people at risk as well as tracking patterns of diseases clustering,” Kronu added.

674 samples sent; 13 await result

A total of 674 suspected Covid-19 samples have been sent for testing from the Nagaland till date, according to an official update.

Out of the 674 samples, 661 have tested negative. The remaining 13 samples await confirmation.

Also, 1397 persons were screened in the state on Saturday; while 21 persons are being kept under facility quarantine.