High Powered Committee (HPC) on Covid-19 decided to continue with existing lockdown measures with further relaxations and reopening of more activities from August 2 to 18.
This followed a review meeting held on July 31 where the views of health & family welfare (H&FW) department were taken, along with proposals by various District Task Forces (DTFs).
As per the new guidelines under “Unlock 4” issued by chief secretary J Alam, the timing for opening of shops will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., while the duration of night curfew has been further reduced and will be from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Takeaways/home delivery outlets will be allowed to open and function, except during the curfew hours.
Buses will be allowed to ply with up to 50% occupancy and subject to both drivers and attendants being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or should have taken the first dose, and 15 days should have passed since taking the first dose. The order ruled that if none of the two criteria were fulfilled, then the driver/attendant should carry a negative report of Covid-19 test taken through either RT-PCR/TrueNat or CBNAAT, with the swab taken for testing not earlier than 15 days.
Inter-district bus service/taxi service too has been allowed, subject to similar conditions enumerated above for drivers and attendants.
Additionally, passengers too should be either fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or should have taken the first dose, and 15 days should have passed since taking the first dose. If none of the two criteria were fulfilled, then the passengers should carry a negative report of Covid-19 test taken through either RT-PCR/TrueNat or CBNAAT with the swab taken for testing not earlier than 72 hours from the date of travel.
Detailed SOP for bus service and inter-district bus and taxi travel with the dates when the provisions would be effective from would be issued by the home department, the order stated.
The order stated that the DTFs may consider imposing stricter measures or rolling back certain relaxations in specified areas in their respective districts, if the local situation required so.
Kohima: In addition to the state-wide lockdown issued by the chief secretary, Kohima District Task Force chairman and Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie has informed that local taxis shall be allowed to ply with only two passengers and without any passenger in the front seat within Kohima Municipal area along with plastic barrier/sheet as per June 12, advisory.
Further, local taxis have been asked not charge fares higher than those fixed by the RTA. Vaccination status of local taxi driver shall also be prominently displayed on the windshield of the taxi, it added.
All other activities that are not permitted shall continue to be strictly restricted, DC said.
Odd-Even system to continue in Kma
In continuation with the earlier order, DC Kohima has informed that the ‘Odd- Even’ system for movement of private vehicles will continue under Kohima Municipal area. The order shall be implemented with immediate effect and shall remain enforced till August 18.