Dimapur District Core Committee (DDCC) on COVID-19 headed by Y. Kikheto Sema, APC and commissioner and secretary, held a meeting at Hotel Saramati to discuss the decision of the state government on testing all returnees and to send them to their respective districts only after testing results were confirmed.
DDCC however pointed out that it was facing “practical difficulties” since there was only one BSL-3 laboratory installed in Kohima having limited capacity and so, testing all returnees would take a long time.
DDCC said there were many returnees from other states who have completed the mandatory 14 day institutional quarantine period. At the present rate, DDCC said it would not be possible to test all returnees who don’t show any symptoms since the focus remained on Chennai returnees.
It stressed that unless all returnees who have completed the 14-day mandatory quarantine were not released, it would not be possible to accommodate fresh returnees. In the light of the above, DDCC at its meeting suggested that all returnees who have completed 14 days quarantine and show no symptoms be allowed to go to their respective districts without further mandatory testing while those from Dimapur be released to undertake home quarantine.
Further DDC suggested that on completion of 14 days, any returnee showing symptoms will be retained and tested in Dimapur.
DDCC also said it has no objection if the government decides to retain all COVID-19 cases from Mon and Peren districts. However, if the positive cases were to be retained, then it suggested that the government identify one more COVID hospital.
DDCC also suggested that all fresh returnees be sent to their respective districts after thorough screening and tracking, due to paucity of resources.
DDCC said if its above suggestions were accepted, then the state government may bring back stranded Naga citizens from other states.
Others who attended the meeting included secretary F&SC, W Honje Konyak; commissioner of police Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo; DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi; CMO Dimapur Dr. Tiasunep Pongener; NCD joint secretary Rangau; DDVCCA president Khekuto Wilson; DUCCF assitant general secretary Bokato Wotsa; DUCCF I&P secretary Kevipietsu Savino; GB unon Dimapur vice president W Kholie Kapfo; DDGBA general secretary L Ponghok Phom; DNSU president Sedevilie Angami and DENSU president Bendangnuken.