A file photo of people being screened at an entry point in Dimapur during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. With the second wave hitting various parts of the country, the Nagaland Government issued a new set of SOPs on April 9. (Morung File Photo)
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DIMAPUR, APRIL 9 (MExN): With the surge in COVID-19 cases in certain parts of India, the Nagaland State Government today issued revised SOPs for returnees and travelers entering Nagaland.
While there is no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement, it is mandatory for every returnee/inbound traveller to register in the nCOVID Nagaland Visitors App and Aarogya Setu before entering Nagaland. The State helpline 1800 345 0019 may be called for assistance.
Every returnee/inbound traveller will be required to submit ‘self declaration forms’ while those opting for home quarantine will need to furnish ‘undertaking for home quarantine.’ They can be submitted through the nCOVID Nagaland Visitors App, at covid19.nagaland.gov.in or through WhatsApp to the respective district’s helpline numbers. A hard copy can also be submitted at the office of the respective CMO.
Information on paid quarantine facilities and their availability on various dates will be updated on covidl9.nagaland.gov.in and at the DTF/District Health Helpline phone numbers and their email addresses.
At point of entry
Symptomatic travelers will mandatorily report to the concerned district health authority or the district helpline numbers.
Returnees or travelers who produce negative COVID-19 report of test done not earlier than 3 days prior to arrival in Nagaland through RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT shall be exempted from quarantine. Hard or soft copy of the negative test report should be produced when asked.
Meanwhile those without negative test reports and asymptomatic will undergo quarantine for 10 days. They may opt for home quarantine or paid quarantine.
All returnees/travellers have been asked to self-monitor their health and update their status in the nCOVID Nagaland Visitors App twice daily. In case of development of any symptoms, they are advised to contact the respective District Health Helpline or State Helpline 1800 345 0019.
Government servants entering the State on official tours, or returning after making a tour outside, or coming back after availing leave will also be covered by the same quarantining provisions.
Quarantine SOPs
Persons who remain asymptomatic throughout the 10 days quarantine period will not require testing for release.
Returnees and travelers if symptomatic on arrival and those who develop symptoms during quarantine will be immediately tested.
Persons in quarantine, who are asymptomatic and require premature release due to urgent or emergency works may contact the district health authority or helpline and request testing. If tested negative, they will be released. Tests done on request will be charged at the rates fixed by the Government.
On release from quarantine, a ‘release certificate’ will be issued by the medical unit.
The COVID-19 tests shall be chargeable at a rate fixed by the government which may be revised from time to time.
Exemptions from quarantine
If the duration of stay of any person entering the State is less than 48 hours, no advance testing or quarantine will be required. The person should however register on Aarogya Setu, and during the period of stay follow all health safety protocols. In case of night-halt in the State, such persons are required to stay in a single room accommodation with attached bathroom.
Such persons may apply at covidl9.nagaland.gov.in or through email/WhatsApp to the DTF of the destination district with all the details at least one day before arrival in Nagaland. The DTF, subject to fulfillment of the criteria for being considered for issue of ILP, wherever applicable, will communicate its clearance for exemption from quarantine, through Whatsapp/Email or SMS if applied online, to the person concerned.
Government servants entering the State on an official tour and needing exemption from quarantine because of “unavoidable reasons” will also be covered by similar provisions.
Meanwhile, any person who goes out of the State by road in self arranged conveyance and returns within 24 hours without night halt, and asymptomatic on arrival at the point of entry, will be exempted from quarantine. The concerned person before commencing journey should obtain movement permit from the concerned DTF in which the point of exit falls.
Truckers and attendants of goods vehicle, transiting the State without halting anywhere are exempted from quarantine. In case of a night-halt in the State, they should stay in single room accommodation with attached washroom.
Furthermore, the Home Department will continue facilitating the entry into the State, and exemption from quarantine, for the Constitutional Authorities, Council of Ministers and dignitaries.
Military and para military personnel
The directives stated that military and para-military units will make own arrangements for their personnel entering Nagaland at the point of entry, and for their transportation to undergo 10 days quarantine. Personnel showing COVID-like symptom will be subjected to the SOPs/medical protocols of the concerned formation/unit, and wherever required, the forces may take the assistance of the concerned DTF.
Personnel developing symptoms during quarantine will be tested by Rapid Antigen Test/TrueNat/RT-PCR, and if assistance is required, the concerned DTF may be contacted. Personnel remaining asymptomatic throughout the 10 days quarantine will require no testing and may be released from quarantine.
Uniform implementation of SOPs
The State Government directed that the SOP be uniformly implemented throughout the State without any deviation and will not be modified by District Task Forces, Urban Local Bodies, Village Authorities or Community- based Organizations.
Violators will be penalized as per the relevant section of the Disaster Management Act 2005, and the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations 2020.
DTF teams to screen inbound passengers in Dimapur airport
DIMAPUR, APRIL 9 (MExN): Teams of the Dimapur COVID-19 District Task Force (DTF) are set to be placed at Dimapur Airport for screening of incoming passengers. An order from the Dimapur DC informed that incoming passengers will be thermal screened and checking of negative COVID-19 tests done not earlier that three days prior to their arrival in Nagaland will be done. All returnees are required to install and register themselves in the COVID Nagaland Visitors App and fill the ‘self declaration form’ in the app.
The order stated that special attention will be given to people coming from any of the 11 States with the highest COVID-19 active cases in the country as of April 5, namely Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajashtan and Delhi.
