Total lockdown in Nagaland: What is prohibited and what is allowed

Dimapur, May 11 (EMN): In view of continues surge in Covid-19 cases despite implementation of consolidated restrictions, the government of Nagaland on Tuesday announced total lockdown in the state to contain the spread of the deadly disease.

The Home department stated in its order that the new total lockdown measures would supersede its earlier directions related to the pandemic; that it’s necessary to break the chain of transmission and in the interest of public health and safety.

The order stated that the total lockdown would come into effect at 6 pm on May 14 till the 21st and any person or group of persons violating it “shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005”.

What is restricted

• All activities and movement of person shall be suspended during the lockdown period.
• All places of mass gathering shall be closed
• All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other large congregations barred, except for solemnisation of weddings with prior permission of the district task force limited to a maximum of 20 persons.
• Movement of all private and public transport vehicles shall be suspended except for medical emergencies with occupancy of 50% and Covid-appropriate behaviour. All other cases shall require special permission from the district task force.
• No in-house dining at restaurants.

What is allowed

• Movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities, food items and medical supplies including oxygen cylinders and other medical equipment.
• Government vehicles whose movement are required for the departments shall be allowed subject to production of valid ID cards on demand.
• All healthcare facilities, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, movement of healthcare workers including those for animal healthcare, Covid-19 vaccination, Covid testing and medical emergencies.
• All officers and staff working in the Governor’s Secretariat, Chief Minister’s Office, Chief Secretary’s Office, Guahati High Court Kohima Bench and District Courts, District Administration, Police, Security forces, Fire & Emergency services, Home department, Medical, Postal Services, NIC, NSDMA, Home Guards & Civil Defence, SDRF, Power, PHED, Food & Civil supplies, Finance, Taxes, Treasury and Accounts.
• Banks, ATMs, IT & C, IPR, AIR and Doordarshan, Social Welfare Department including functioning of Sakhi One Stop Centre, Women Help Line, Child Protection Services, Anganwadi services, LPG services, private water carriers, Prison and related services, courier services, municipal services like cleaning and sanitation, Food Corporation of India, Directorate of State Lotteries, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and Administrative Training Institute.
• Agriculture and allied activities and ongoing construction works will be allowed subject to the contractor or owner ensuring adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. The concerned district task force shall ensure that labourers already at site are engaged and no new labourers are brought from outside. Further transportation to and from the camp to the work site shall be arranged by the concerned contractor or owner.
• Petrol pumps to remain open, while ensuring there is no crowding.
• All establishments and personnel relating to electronic and print media, telecom and internet service providers.
• The district task force shall evolve a mechanism to facilitate opening of vegetable, fish/meat vendors, milk booths, bakeries, local grocery stores, hardware, electrical and electronics shops including those that sell animal feed shops for public purchase from 6 am to 12 noon in consultation with the respective colony/ ward authorities ensuring Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. Public may be advised to shop their essential needs from within their colony only.
• Dimapur Airport shall remain open and movement of staff and passengers (with proof of ticket) will be permitted subject to adherence of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.
• Hotels for lodging shall be allowed to remain open with minimum staff.
• Food delivery services by restaurants, groceries delivery and other e-Commerce service providers are allowed.
• Funeral services limited to not more than 20 persons.
• Movement of inter-state transit passengers shall continue to be allowed as per provisions of the revised SOP for returnees and travellers entering Nagaland issued on April 29.

The order further stated that the administrative heads of departments, heads of departments, heads of offices and the core group of officers and staff in their respective departments will attend to urgent and essential matters including court cases. All other Government employees should be available on call.

“Strict enforcement of these restrictions shall be ensured by the respective district task forces and strict checking shall be done at the district entry points to prevent non-essential movement of people,” it added.