Nagaland govt announces lockdown-like restrictions to break chain of COVID transmission
The Nagaland government on Tuesday issued consolidated guidelines, enforcing stricter rules in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases. The restrictions will come into effect from April 30 to May 14.
Speaking to media persons, government spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon said that the decision to go for lockdown-like restrictions was taken to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission in the state.
Kikon also informed that the COVID vaccination for persons above the age of 18 will be conducted from May 1 free of cost.
Updated SOPs:
*All schools, colleges, educational coaching/vocational institutions/student hostels will remain closed. However, online distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
*Cinema halls, swimming pools, gymnasiums, entertainment parks, auditoriums, theatrics, sports complexes and stadiums and similar places, all public places in the like parks, museums, libraries, recreation centres, etc will also remain closed.
*All social, political, sports/entertainment, academic, cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations will be permitted outside the containment zones, but the gathering shall not be over 30 per cent of the capacity of the hall/venue/ground or 100 persons whichever is lower, subject to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour like wearing of masks, social distancing, regular washing of hands by sanitiser/soap, etc.
*Religious places/place of worship will be permitted to open outside the containment zones subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the capacity of the hall/building at any point of time or 100 persons, whichever is lower, and strict adherence to all the SOP.
*Movement of people within the State will be permitted subject to adherence to COVID-19 behaviour.
*The intra and inter-district movement of private and passenger vehicles of every category is permitted across the State subject to the occupancy in every kind of vehicle being limited to 50 per cent of the total occupancy.
Further, no standing passengers should be allowed to travel and there should also be adherence to all the provisions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
*The District Task Force, if it considers it necessary for discouraging unnecessary movement of people, may consider imposing restrictions on the non-essential movement of the public and/or not allowing movement or during certain hours of the day or on certain days.
*Shopping malls may open outside the containment zones subject to strict adherence to the SOP for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
*Shops and hawker stalls of all categories in market complexes and crowded areas like Hongkong Market, New Market in Dimapur Town, BOC Market in Kohima etc are allowed to open and operate limited to 30 per cent.
*Any inbound traveller/returnee will be permitted to enter the State through Dimapur by Train, Air or by Road through the New Field Check Gate and the Dillai Gate; and by road through Khuzama, Kohima district, Tsutapela und Watiyongpang, Mokokchung district, Naginimora and Tizit, Mon district and Bhandari, Wokla district and Lanye in Phek district.
*Entry into the State through any other route, or by any other mode of travel will not be allowed, except under special circumstances with the approval of the Home Department.
*Every inbound traveller/returnee will be guided by the SOP dated November 25, 2020, for entry of persons into the State and on arrival will be required to produce a negative RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT test report for COVID-19 with the test done not earlier than 72 hours prior to entry into the State and such persons will be further required to remain in self-isolation/quarantine for seven days.
In other cases, the person concerned, after entry, will be required to self-isolate/quarantine for ten days.
*Each traveller will be required to fill the ‘Self Declaration Form’ available on https://covid 19.nagaland.gov.in.
*Residents of Northeastern States other than Nagaland, who arrive in Nagaland or directly travelling towards to any other NE States or transit passengers of inter-state routes shall fill in self-declaration available in https://covid19.nagaland gov. in as a transit passenger and shall proceed to their destination State directly from the point of entry.
*Movement of goods vehicles entering or transiting through the State shall be allowed after a proper medical screening of the drivers and attendants of those vehicles.
*All other roads/routes shall remain closed.
*The International Border of the State with Myanmar shall remain sealed.
*Hotels, lodges will continue to be permitted to open and operate subject to adherence to SOPs.
*Restaurants will continue to be permitted to open outside the containment zones subject to adherence to SOPs.
*Barbershops and salons may open and function subject to the SOPs.
*Private Banks, ATMs, Pharmacies, Medical Clinics, Nursing Homes, Private Telecom Services, Internet Service Providers, Media Houses, LPG, Petroleum outlets will continue to open/function as per the existing arrangements.
*All other kinds of private offices/establishments may open/function subject to 50 per cent attendance on any day and suit adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
*The Civil Secretariat and Directorates in Kohima and Dimapur and all the Government Offices in the Districts shall continue to function with attendance of officers of Deputy Secretary and above in the Secretariat, and Deputy Director and above in the Directorate and the Head of Office and an immediate junior in the District offices being mandatory.
*For other categories of officers and staff, a roster system shall be worked out by the AHOD HOD/Head of Office whereby 50 per cent of staff attends office every alternate week.
*The entry of public visitors to offices, unless of essential nature, will be prohibited.
*District Administration, Police, Security Forces/Agencies and Medical and essential services providers like Treasury, Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guards & Civil Defence, Prisons, PHED, Power, NIC, DIPR, Postal Services, Food & Civil Supplies, Social Welfare, IT&C, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry. Municipalities Councils. AIR Doordarshan, BSNL, Public Sector Banks, ATMs shall continue to operate as per the current arrangements.
*Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years are advised to take necessary precautions.
* The cabinet has also decided that a fine of Rs 200 will be imposed if any person is found without a mask.
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