Total lockdown in Kohima for seven days; defaulters to be penalised

DC says the lockdown is just a temporary measure; stresses on the need for behavioural change among the public.

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 23 (EMN): District authorities on Thursday announced a total lockdown of Kohima municipal areas from July 25 till the 31st.

The Kohima district task force’s decision came amid rise in Covid-19 cases outside quarantine centres in the state capital. Residents of Kohima, led by the Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat, have also been demanding total lockdown.  

The deputy commissioner (DC) of Kohima and district task force chairman, Gregory Thejawelie, told journalists that the total lockdown has been imposed to enhance active surveillance activities.

“This is not exactly to break the chain of transmission but to slow down and to contain to a certain measure,” he said.

The DC reminded that the lockdown is just a temporary measure, adding that there was a need for behavioural change among the public.

Exemptions:

Personnel of District administration, police, para-military/army, medical, chief minister’s office, Raj Bhavan staff, treasury, prisons, Kohima municipal council, PHED, Power, NIC, DIPR, NSDMA, fire and emergency services, HG and CDE, food and civil supply, social welfare, IT & C, AIR, Doordarshan, media, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes, BSNL and private telecoms services, internet services providers, banks with minimal staff and ATMs, petroleum outlets and LPGs, quarantine centres, bethel kitchen persons/patients with medical emergencies and those persons/individual involved in authorised Covid-19 related duties.

With the Sixth Session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) scheduled for July 30, all members of the NLA, all AHODs/HODs, assembly officials and others involved/detailed for the session are also exempt.

Restrictions:

1. All public movement is prohibited, except on rare medical emergencies.

2. All categories of shops are to strictly remain closed during the total lockdown period, except for pharmacies outside the sealed area.

3. All religious places should remain closed. Religious services and congregation is strictly prohibited.

4. Movement of all commercial and private vehicles are prohibited, except for unavoidable medical emergencies.

5. Gathering of people at public places within the residential areas in ward/colonies/villages is prohibited.

6. Weddings are not allowed during this total lockdown period.

7. Funeral/last rites related gatherings shall ensure social distancing and the maximum number of people allowed shall not exceed more than 20 people.

8. Inter-state, inter-district and inter village movement is restricted. However, movement of medical emergency cases and essential goods and services with proper safety measures in place will be allowed.

Defaulters will be penalised as per relevant sections of the law, it warned.