New SOPs for Dimapur and Kohima as Unlock-5 begins

Dimapur, Aug. 19 (EMN): In pursuance to order issued by the Home department dated August 18, the existing lockdown measures issued on August 2 will continue to remain in force in Kohima and Dimapur with the additional relaxations and directives with effect from August 19 to September 2.

An update informed that shops/ business establishments dealing with essential goods and commodities such as vegetable/fish/meat vendors, milk booths, bakeries, local grocery stores, public utility services like LPG and e-commerce services etc. may remain open on all the days from 6 am to 6 pm in Dimapur. All other shops/business establishments dealing with all kinds of goods/ items/ articles and all shops located in New Market, Hongkong Market and Hazi Park are permitted to open from 6 am to 6 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It stated that the duration of the night curfew in Dimapur will be from 8 pm to 4 am.

It stated that in both Kohima and Dimapur social, political, religious, entertainment, academic, cultural gatherings and other public gatherings are allowed up to a maximum of 50 percent capacity, subject to all the participants being asymptomatic and being fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) or having taken the first dose of vaccine against and at least 15 days have passed since taking the first dose and if the vaccination criteria is not fulfilled, then the person concerned should carry Covid-19 negative test report done either through RT PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT with the swab given for the testing not earlier than fifteen days.

It said that, there should be complete adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and maintenance of social distancing by all concerned. Sports activities including competitions are allowed with up to a maximum of 50 percent capacity. The government offices will function with 100% attendance of Group A and B officers on all the working days and for other employees, the attendance will be 50%. Further, in line with the requirements for attendance for employees and staffs as laid down by the Home department in the interest of public health and safety, the employees and staff of all the offices in the district are required to be vaccinated to attend office and if not even a single dose of vaccine against Covid-19 has been taken, the employee concerned is required to produce Covid-19 negative test report every fifteen days by getting tested at any government facility free of charge concerning both the districts.

Two-wheeler taxi and pillion riding is permitted, subject to the provisions of the SOP for passenger vehicles on preventive measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. Outdoor parks, entertainment parks, recreation areas, and similar places is allowed to open up to a maximum of 50 percent capacity, and subject to all the persons managing the parks and such facilities as well as all the visitors including the children being asymptomatic and all those, who are 18 years of age and above should be fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) or should have taken the first dose of vaccine and at least fifteen days should have passed since taking the first dose and if the vaccination criteria are not fulfilled, then the person concerned should carry a Covid-19 negative test report with the swab given for testing not earlier than fifteen days. In addition, there should be complete adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and maintenance of social distancing by all concerned in Kohima as well Dimapur, it read.

Moreover, Gymnasiums will be allowed up to 50% of the capacity and the persons managing the Gymnasiums as well as all the users shall be subject to the same conditions as outlined above for persons managing the parks and the visitors to the parks and shall be subject to all the provisions of the relevant SOP. Swimming pools and Cinemas shall continue to remain closed. The conduct of regular classes for the students of class-10 and below in all the schools shall remain suspended and the schools will continue with the present system of online teaching in the districts, it informed.

For residents of Kohima, the dates from which the relaxations/re-opening up of activities will be effective/permitted will be notified in the SOPs concerned to be issued by the

Home department. All applications may be sent to warroomkohima@gmail.com. Helpline Nos. 6033833879/9362705742 may also be contacted for any assistance, it said.

Any person violating this order shall be penalised as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC, it added.