• Quarantine center to be set up at Ganesh Nagar, Dimapur
• Screening, registration and segregation center at IG Stadium Kohima
Morung Express News
Kohima | May 21
As neighbouring states began to witness spike in positive COVID-19 cases following arrival of returnees, there is trepidation and anxiety among the public, as around 1400 stranded Nagas are returning from Chennai on a special train on May 22.
Subsequently, the state government has decided to set up an institutional quarantine centre for the stranded persons returning to Nagaland at the State Economic Zone, Ganesh Nagar, Dimapur district.
Meanwhile, an order dated May 19 issued by the ACS & Finance Commissioner & Convenor, Empowered Group stated “in order to facilitate the arrival of all the returnees for the districts of Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Longleng, Kiphire and Tuensang, a reception centre for screening, registration and district-wise segregation is to be immediately set up at IG Stadium.”
Chief Medical Officer, Kohima, Vezokholu Theyo who is co-opted for the medical protocols at the reception centre, IG Stadium informed that everything has been set up and put in place.
While the arrival of stranded Nagas into the state is unavoidable, it was felt that strict institutional quarantine, medical test and sample testing should be strictly carried out.
A legislator viewed that the state government could have coordinated with other NE States and the Ministry of Home Affairs for segregation of people at the source itself and putting them in different coloured bogeys.
“So that when they reach the state, they should be quarantined colour-wise and not mixing them up” he opined, and suggested that IG stadium should be opened up where people can be quarantined separately depending on the zones they have come from.
He also viewed that it is up to the State now to modify the guidelines according the realities of the State. The real battle will start tomorrow, he said.
“Arrival of our people is inevitable despite fears and apprehensions. Government has to ensure strict institutional quarantine and immediate testing of all returnees since BSL-3 is also functional” stated a political party worker.
A social worker stated that “it’s a good thing that our stranded brothers and sisters are returning after facing lots of hardships.” However, he asserted that on their arrival, the government must ensure that all safety measures are put in place.
“Upon arrival all need to undergo the medical test for their own safety and others too. Government has to see to it that all necessary steps are taken diligently leaving no space for complacency,” he said.
