• Pre-primary classes from March 1
• Night curfews lifted
• No negative COVID test reports required to enter state
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 15
The Nagaland Government withdrew its order that required persons entering the state to produce negative COVID-19 test reports at entry points. However, travellers or tourists who are symptomatic will have to undertake screening tests at the point of entry.
In an order issued on Tuesday, state Chief Secretary and Chairperson of the State Executive Committee J Alam announced further relaxations on COVID-19 restrictions throughout the state with immediate effect up till February 22.
In this connection, the Chief Secretary’s order stated that public gatherings of all kinds would be allowed outside containment zones “beyond 50 % and up to 100% capacity, both indoors and outdoors,” on the condition that the participants are asymptomatic, fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and all COVID-19 appropriate behaviours are adhered to.
It also lifted the night curfew which was imposed from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am across the state.
The order which was issued after the High Powered Committee on COVID-19 reviewed the pandemic situation in the state also stated that public spaces like malls, shopping complexes, restaurants, cinema halls, parks and other places of entertainment and recreation would also be allowed to operate with full capacity, with similar conditions as prescribed for public gatherings.
In case of educational institutions, the order stated that offline classes for students studying in pre-primary classes would be permitted from March 1 with 50% occupancy of classrooms and prior parental consent. Further standard operating procedures regarding reopening of the pre-primary educational institutions will be issued by the Home Department, it added.
Meanwhile, bus services, inter-district bus and taxi services as well as other forms of public transportation have also been allowed to operate at full capacity, if drivers, attendants and passengers are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated against the virus. In cases where the stipulated criteria is not met, drivers, attendants or passengers will have to carry COVID-19 negative test reports taken through RT-PCR, TrueNat or CBNAAT, taken not earlier than 72 hours from the date of travel.
Stating that violation of the order and other COVID-19 related guidelines could lead to prosecution under relevant sections of the Disaster management Act, 2005 as well as Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and other legal provisions, the Chief Secretary stated that the restriction are being relaxed taking into account the overall situation in the state and the recommendations made by the state Department of Health and Family Welfare.
It meanwhile said that the state would continue to focus on vaccination, adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and compulsory wearing of face masks in public spaces.
