Beneficiaries of COVID-19 vaccine for 15 -18 years at SD Jain Higher Secondary School, Dimapur availing their 1st dose during an outreach programme in collaboration with the CMO’s Office, Dimapur on January 8. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter@NagalandNhm)
• Partial suspension of offline classes till January 31
• Night curfew from 9 pm-5 am
• Mandatory COVID-19 negative reports for entry into state
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 8
The Government of Nagaland on Saturday issued an order re-imposing several COVID-19 restrictions in order to tackle a possible surge of infections in the state.
The government stated that the fresh and rapid surge in COVID-19 cases across the country and an increased detection of the Omicron variant of concern indicate the arrival of a third pandemic wave which may put public’s health in serious danger, and also strain the health infrastructure of the State. Urgent measures are required for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the State, it said.
In this connection, Nagaland Chief Secretary and Chairperson of the State Executive Committee J Alam announced the suspension of physical (offline) classes for students studying up to Class 8 till January 31. However, “any student of Class 9 and above, and who has completed 15 years of age, shall be allowed to take admission, or attend regular/offline classes, only if he/she has taken at least one dose of vaccine against COVID-19,” the order stated.
With effect from January 9, night curfew stands imposed from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am; however, goods vehicles, vehicles transiting the State without any stopovers, movement due to medical and other emergencies, agricultural purposes, and any other movement permitted by the respective DTF will be exempted from the purview of night curfew, according to the order.
Public gatherings curbed
The order which was issued through the state DIPR also put a cap on the number of participants for any type of public gatherings. “Any social, political, religious, entertainment, academic, cultural gatherings, and all other kind of public gatherings shall be restricted and allowed up to 50 % capacity, or up to a maximum of 200 persons, whichever is lower, and subject to all the participants being asymptomatic, and being fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19,” it stipulated.
In case there is an unavoidable need to have bigger gatherings, they may be permitted only after getting express permission of the respective District Task Force (DTF), it added.
The government has allowed public spaces like malls, shopping complexes, restaurants, gymnasiums, cinema halls or theatres, parks, places of entertainment, recreation areas, etc., to open with up to 50% capacity, provided all the visitors, staff and all other concerned, are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19.
SOP for entry into state
With the new restrictions, any person above the age of 12, including those who are fully vaccinated, will have to carry a negative COVID-19 test report done through RT-PCR/ True Nat/CBNAAT with the swab given for testing not earlier than 3 days of the date of arrival in the State.
Effective from January 10, the new restrictions also stated that incoming travellers who are not carrying negative COVID-19 test reports, will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 at Government approved rates at the point of entry in the State. The same applies for those who have negative reports and are symptomatic and those who are below the age of 12 and are symptomatic. Such persons will be in home or paid quarantine till the declaration of the test result, it added.
“The aforesaid provisions will come into effect from January 10, 2022, and the SOP for entry of persons in the State issued vide this office notification of even number dated November 8, 2021 stands modified to this extent,” the order stated.
Any person or group of persons acting in violation of the directions, as well as all the other existing orders, SOPs, guidelines, for preventing the spread of COVID-19, shall be liable to be prosecuted against under the relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides action under Section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable, it added.
COVID war room reactivated
Dimapur, January 8 (MExN): In light of the arrival of the third COVID-19 pandemic wave in the country, and the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases, the Government of Nagaland is once again reactivating the State Level War Room on COVID-19 to manage all pandemic related decision making.
“The State Level War Room will ensure unity of command and control in the fight against COVID-19 in the State. It will further ensure sharing of all the relevant information on real time basis so that prompt and effective action gets taken by the concerned departments, officials, agencies for preventing the spread of COVID-19, as well as for making prompt necessary interventions, whenever required, for further strengthening the health infrastructure and the clinical management of the COVID-19 patients,” stated an order issued through the state DIPR on January 8.
The State Level War Room for COVID-19 which will function at the Conference Hall of the Chief Secretary in Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima will be headed state Chief Secretary J Alam as Chairperson. Alam is also the Chairperson of the State Executive Committee, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, (NSDMA).
Along with the Chairperson, core committee members of the War Room include the following officials as members: DGP T John Longkumer; ACS & FC Sentiyanger, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) AS Bhatia; Principal Secretary PHED E Mhonbemo Patton; Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha; Nagaland Commissioner Rovilatuo Mor; Secretary Finance Kesonyu Yhome; Secretary, NSDMA, Home Lhouchalie Viya; Principal Director, H& FW Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao, and Dy Comdt General, HG&CD Medozhalie Pienyu.
In addition, 26 officers from various key departments including the H&FW, NSDMA, School Education, IT & C, Agriculture, IPR, and Home, have been attached to the State Level War Room to assist the core committee in carrying out its functions.
Emergency numbers for
COVID-19 related assistance:
+91 89294 07417 (24x7 Helpline)
State Level War Room phone numbers:
03702270033; 03702270010
email: warroomnagaland@gmail.com
State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) NSDMA, Home Department.
0370-2291122/2291120, Toll free No: 1070
email: seoc.nsdma@ gmail.com
