• No restriction on entry
• No quarantine with negative test result
• Test charges applicable for Govt employees too
• SOPs not to be modified by DTF, local bodies
Kohima, November 24 (MExN): The Nagaland government on Wednesday issued revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for returnees and travelers entering the State which is to come into force with immediate effect.
A notification issued by the State Home department mentioned that there will be no restriction on entry of returnees and travelers entering Nagaland by flight, train, or road at any entry point except the normal Inner Line permit (ILP) restrictions, wherever applicable, in line with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directive.
No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods.
In addition, it is mandatory for every returnee/inbound traveler to install and register in the nCOVID Nagaland Visitors app and Aarogya Setu app before entering Nagaland.
The State Helpline 1800 345 0019 has been provided for any technical assistance if required.
Meanwhile, according to the revised SOPs, returnees/travellers who produce a negative report of COVID-19 test done not earlier than three days prior to arrival in Nagaland through RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT shall be exempted from quarantine.
Those without the negative test report and asymptomatic will undergo quarantine for 10 days with the option of either home quarantine or paid quarantine in the designated hotel/lodge.
Government employees 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, it added.
The rate of testing will be fixed by the Government which may be revised from time to time.
Any Government employee undergoing quarantining on entry into the State will also be covered by the same testing provisions, the notice stated. Further, the Government servant will also be charged for COVID-19 test at the same rates as fixed for other returnees/travelers.
In case the travel made is for official reasons, the expenses for COVID-19 testing may be claimed for reimbursement from his/her office/department.
COVID-19 testing strategy will be revised from time to time as per revisions issued by ICMR and/or State, it added.
Implementation:
The revised SOPs are to be uniformly implemented throughout the State without any deviation and “will not be modified by District Task Force, Urban Local Bodies, Village Authorities or Community-based Organization,” as per the notice.
Violator(s) of this SOP will be penalized as per the relevant section of the Disaster Management Act 2005, and the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations 2020, it added.
