People wear face masks amid the COVID-19 induced lockdown restrictions in Dimapur. (Morung Photo)
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Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 17
In a step towards further unlocking the state, Nagaland government on Saturday announced a slew of relaxations to COVID restrictions including opening of educational institutions and public gatherings with certain conditions.
Following a meeting of the state High Powered Committee on COVID-19 on July 16, the state government had announced its decision to continue existing lock down measures with further relaxations and re-opening of more activities. The HPC’s decision was taken after consultations with the Health & Family Welfare Department and the Districts Task Forces.
Accordingly, on Saturday, Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam issued a set of revised guidelines which will be applicable from July 18 to August 1—a period the state government has termed as Unlock 3.
Schools, colleges and educational institutions
As per the Chief Secretary’s order, the state government has decided allow colleges and in-house skill development institutes or establishments to reopen from July 26 on condition that all the staffers are vaccinated and all SOPs are adhered to. It also allowed reopening of higher secondary schools (classes XI and XII) from August 2 with similar conditions—all the teachers and non-teaching staff, trainers and assistants should be fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19 or should have taken the first dose of vaccine at least 15 days prior to reopening.
Related standard operating procedures (SOPs) including maximum allowed percentage of attendance of students in schools and colleges will be issued by the state Home Department after consultation with the concerned department, the order stated, while adding that in-house skill development institutes or establishments can reopen with 50 percent capacity.
Events and public spaces
Among the other key relaxations, the state government also opened up social, political, religious, entertainment, academic, cultural gatherings and other public gatherings with a cap of maximum 50 attendants for indoor events and 100 for outdoor events and subject to strict adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviours and all the applicable SOPs.
In the event of exceptional requirement of holding of function/ programme with a larger gathering, prior permission of the respective District Task Forces (DTFs) would be required, the order stated.
Further, restaurants where all the attendants/staff of the restaurants have been fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19 or have taken the first dose of vaccine 15 days prior to July 18, can resume dine-in services with a 50 percent seating capacity rule with strict adherence to the applicable SOPs.
The order also directed all the DTFs to map areas for micro-containment zones in case the situation arises and said that detailed guidelines in this regard will be issued by the state Home Department.
Additionally, all DTFs have been entrusted to enforce the directives related to displaying of vaccination status of shopkeepers, barbers, taxi drivers etc.
Inter-district movement and inbound travellers
As per the order, returnees /travellers entering the State and tourists who are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be required to be tested for COVID-19 at the point of entry or required to quarantine.
However, those who have taken only the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 15 days prior to travel will not be required to be tested for COVID-19 at the point of entry but will be required to quarantine for 7 days. For all other cases, the persons concerned will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 on payment as per the Government approved rates at the point of entry and further undergo 7 days quarantine, the order stated.
The DTF concerned will make arrangements for the screening/ testing and paid quarantine facilities, in cases where adequate and proper facilities for home quarantine are not available, it added.
“Inter-district movement of person for non-essential service or purpose including private journey by light vehicle is allowed, subject to the person(s) including the driver being asymptomatic and having completed their COVD-19 vaccination or taken at least a single dose of vaccine against COVID-19 and 15 days have passed since taking the dose,” the Chief Secretary’s order stated.
