Meetings, mock drill and other preventive measures against possible outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic continue in the state. The government including its various agencies are intensifying preparedness level even though Nagaland is a declared green zone. These measures and other government guidelines are to be strictly followed till further notice from higher authorities. Meanwhile, each of the eleven districts of the state under respective administration is putting in their best efforts to ensure that prevention comes as top priority against the dreaded pandemic. Constant reminders and monitoring of public places and border areas are carried out by the frontline workers for safety of the state inhabitants. Civil organisations also continue to disseminate awareness in their respective jurisdictions.
KIPHIRE District
Kiphire DTF meeting held: Kiphire District Task Force (DTF) held its meeting on May 2 at DPDB hall, chaired by deputy commissioner Sarita Yadav. According to DIPR report, the DC sought opinions from the members in regard to the stranded citizens in Dimapur, Kohima and other districts in the state who were likely to return back. Deliberating on this, members of the church/civil societies such as USLP, ESH and ward authorities representing the public have accepted to let stranded citizens to return back to the district. Civil societies also informed that detailed statistics of people are being prepared and they have been directed to intimate to the administration at the earliest in order to work out logistic arrangements with higher authorities. CMO reported that so far, there was no positive case in the state which was still a green zone, adding that proper screening will be carried out for incoming citizens from outside the district. These people will be home quarantined for14 days which can also be extended depending on the case of individual, he added. DTF chairperson informed that works/activities in all the areas given relaxation by the government was going in accordance with the given guidelines. She also notified that all the existing guidelines given on April 20 such as no social gathering, no religious gathering, number of funeral attendees not exceeding 20, and to maintain social distancing in all the relaxed activities shall be followed till further order is issued.
Police department and Assam Rifles have been requested to intensify monitoring in their respective duties.
In regard to the food stock availability, department of Supplies informed that 1861 bags of rice in the normal stock and 2437 bags from PMGKAY were available in the godown at present. Veterinary department informed the members in regard to the outbreak of African Swine Flu in the neighbouring states and requested the administration for passing order banning import of pigs from other states. Church and civil societies informed that the public have no objection towards burial in the eventuality of death due to COVID-19.
Earlier, in the District Disaster Management meeting, DC encouraged all the members to focus on other activities as well apart from COVID response and control programme. Fire and Emergency department reported that disinfection in the town areas had been carried out in March, while RD department also highlighted activities of NREGA. PHED department reported that connectivity/water supply to the consumers was going properly. DTF also attended video conference with the chief secretary Nagaland.
Dimapur District
Church leaders reach out to public: With the initiative and permission from deputy commissioner Dimapur Anoop Kinchi, like minded church leaders of Dimapur has been spreading the message of love and peace at various locations under Dimapur district for the third consecutive Sunday through public announcement system in coordination with DPRO Dimapur. According to DIPR report, the group has covered almost the whole of Dimapur town during the two previous Sundays and on May 3, the church leaders visited the police stations, hospitals and jails to pray, encourage and thank the front line workers.
Meanwhile, the town announcement which started since April 4 to sensitise and disseminate important information to the general public of Dimapur is continuing till date as directed by DC Dimapur.
Longleng DISTRICT
Longleng district to conduct mock drill: Medical department Longleng under Health and Family Welfare Nagaland will be conducting mock drill at the district headquarter Longleng on May 4, 8 a.m onwards on account of COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken at the district level. According to DIPR report, line departments such as Police, Fire and Emergency Services and district administration have been requested to cooperate with the Medical department for smooth conduct of the said drill. In addition, the general public has also been requested not to panic during the mock drill as it will be only a review on emergency preparedness plan of the department and to evaluate standard operating procedure of the prevailing COVID-19 situation.
Wokha DISTRICT
SACs Bhandari block disseminates social awareness: Social Action Committees (SACs) formed from various SHGs and VLOs under NSRLM-RD Bhandari block, Wokha district, has been engaged in undertaking various social activities for safety of public during its fight against COVID-19. A press release from NSRLM-RD Bhandari block area coordinator Chichanthung Shitiri stated that, they have installed indigenous bamboo poles for hand-wash, production of homemade face-masks, setting up and disinfecting community based quarantine centres, demonstration of clean hand-wash by ASHA and Anganwadi workers. Clean and hygienic habits were also inculcated into places of worship as well as living spaces by the SHGs. SACs has also been assisting village council to disseminate the advisory given by the state Home department to the general public to refrain from hunting or consuming any wild meat because of the strong possibility of the virus being present in them. They have also been instrumental in the preservation and conservation of wildlife and environment. Procurement of agricultural produces is currently underway to facilitate sustainable market linkage for the affected farmer communities despite the challenges of Bhandari block being located at the border of Assam.