Face masks on sale on the street of Nagaland’s state capital Kohima. (Morung Photo)
Ward panchayats step in to contain spread of Coronavirus
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 6
The Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP) has directed everyone moving in and around within the Kohima municipality to compulsorily wear face masks from November 9 onwards until further direction.
Among others, this was decided at the emergency meeting of AKMWP here Thursday. Stating that COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet, AKMWP underscored “In fact positive cases are increasing day by day and even death toll is rising in Nagaland.”
“The Government of Nagaland is doing its best, but we cannot depend solely on our Government to protect us, but a time has come for all of us to protect ourselves and our citizens,” stated AKMWP president Neibulie Kiewhuo in a letter written to all wards chairman under Kohima municipality.
It said that defaulter(s) found moving around without face masks shall have their names listed and be compelled to buy masks on the spot at Rs 30 per mask, from Ward COVID Committee members on duty.
Identity cards for Ward COVID Committee members shall be issued by administrator Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), it informed.
The wards under the AKMWP have been directed to select volunteers including some senior leaders of their respective wards to enforce the safety measure called by AKMWP on the request of the KMC.
‘Wear mask,’ says health department
The Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima, Nagaland had recently issued safety guide on COVID-19. Among others, the department maintained that “A mask protects yourself and people around you.”
WHY: The main mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets from an infected person. A mask will prevent infected droplets to spread to others during talking, coughing, sneezing etc.
WHEN: Every time you are in a public place with other people around, both during day and night. In any close contact settings, such as market places, offices, trainings, schools, churches, banks, unavoidable social gatherings. Wear at home if anyone is sick in the household, in quarantine or in isolation.
• Mask should be worn correctly and should be clean
• Do not remove mask while talking, coughing, sneezing etc.
• Masks are more effective only when used in combination with hand washing or hand
sanitizers.
