As the nation and the world struggles to contain further spread of COVID-19, Nagaland government and its agencies are seen taking all preventive measures to keep the virus away from the state. In last few days, several directives, precautionary measures and information have been disseminated to create awareness so as to prevent possible outbreak.
Public transport, places to be disinfected: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi has directed the owners of all public and private carriers which includes buses, taxis, autorickshaw, two wheelers etc in the district to regularly disinfect and clean the seats, door handles, railings, surfaces etc. DC has further directed all municipal councils, town councils and urban stations to regularly clean and disinfect all public places.
Biometric exercise suspended: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi has directed all enrollment activity where biometric records of the fingers are being taken under Aadhaar Enrollment Agency to be temporarily suspended as precautionary measure in view of COVID-19 outbreak.
SAG on COVID-19: A review meeting of the special action group (SAG) on COVID-19 was held under the chairmanship of home commissioner, Abhijit Sinha, at his office chambers on Saturday. According to an official bulletin, the meeting discussed various preparatory measures and steps taken by the state government to contain the spread of the virus.
The Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) principal director, Dr. Vizolie Suokhrie, reiterated that every individual entering the state should contact COVID-19 helpline no: 7005435243, 9856071745, 7005539653 and toll free no: 1070 or Email: nlssu.idsp@nic.in and mandatorily self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. He also informed that intensive care units (ICUs) and isolation wards have been set up in all the District Hospitals and all the medical surgeons (MSs) have been directed to prepare for expansion of isolation wards in their respective hospitals if and when required. Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) OSD, Jonny Rongmei, informed that awareness information and advisories on COVID-19 have been prepared in various local languages to be dispatched to all the districts of the state. Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission would act as a network channel through the self help groups (SHGs) to disseminate the information to all the villages in the state. SAG listed few other advisories and stringent measures to be adopted which the home commissioner would notify after the approval of higher authority.
DC Mon: Deputy commissioner Mon, Thavaseelan K informed that in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 and in order to prevent and contain its spread in the district, the entry of all visitors in the office of DC Mon except on urgent official works is restricted/barred till further orders. Citizens of Mon district are requested to celebrate Aoleang festival at their own homes and not through mass gathering. DC also issued some precautionary measures required to be taken by all the employees and offices/banks: Mandatory placing of hand sanitizers or provision for hand washing with soap & water at the entry of government building and ATMs; Discourage entry of visitors in the office complex as much as possible; Meeting as far as possible should be done through video conferencing, minimize or re-schedule meetings involving large number of peoples unless necessary; Avoid non-essential official travel; Undertake essential correspondence on office email and work sending files and documents to other offices as much as practicable; Facilitate delivery and receipt of dak at the entry point itself of the office building as far possible; Ensure proper cleaning and frequent sanitization of work places as well as ATMs; Ensure regular supply of hand sanitizer, soap and running water in the wash room; All officials may be adviced to take care of their own health and look out for respiratory symptoms/fever and, if feeling unwell, should leave the work place immediately after informing their reporting officers. They should observe home-quarantine as per the guidelines issued by MoH&FW India at the following URL:mohfw.gov.in/DraftGuidlinesforhomeguarantine.pdf; The leave sanctioning authorities are advised to sanction leave whenever any request is made for self quarantine as a precautionary measure; Advise all employees who are at higher risk i.e. older employees, pregnant women and employees who have underlying medical conditions, to take extra precautions. The department may take care not to expose such employees to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the public; All offices to stop the use of biometric devices.
Following guidelines are issued in the interest of the students: All schools to strictly follow the order issued by Home Department in regard to closure of schools; All schools are advised to keep their school office open so as to enable dissemination of necessary information to the students from time to time; All teachers of the schools (both government and private) should be in their respective places of work and shall be engaged in awareness activities on COVID-19 in their respective localities. Further the teachers hailing from other states are directed not to travel out of the district; While conducting the scheduled examination (CBSE/ICSE), seating arrangement should be made arrangement should be made ensuring physical distance of one meter among students; During the closure of schools, usage of e-learning by students & teachers should be encouraged (using online apps/tutorials, discussion/learning through effective use of social media like whatsapp, etc.); Teachers should make lesson plans and prepare strategies to manage their classes during this period so that they can efficiently manage their classes when the school re-open; Students are advised to keep up their reading habits and read their textbooks; Parents/guardians are advised to keep their ward(s) within the safe environment of their houses by avoiding large gathering and public places; Students should also be taught on proper personal hygiene and social hygiene like hand washing etc. by parents/ guardians; All home tuitions stand suspended in the district till further orders.
Bhandari: Block task force Bhandari sub-division held a coordination meeting at the office of the additional deputy commissioner, Bhandari on March 20. Assessing on local preparedness, Dr. Riku Khutso, EAC, who chaired the meeting sought for a pro-active role from all departments and civil societies concerned to ensure prevention and controlling spread of COVID-19, stating that Bhandari sub-division lies in a state border area having a major highway passing through it. He also reiterated that public health and safety was the first and foremost concern when every community stands vulnerable to the global pandemic situation. Appraising on basic preventive measures to be followed, Dr. Lawrence Lotha, MO I/C CHC, advised that in the absence of prescribed vaccine and medication as of today, prevention through personal and social cleanliness and hygiene, using mask, hand gloves, tissues, washing hands with soap, dettol or hand sanitizers will be helpful besides maintaining social distance for a time period. He also informed that once thermal screening facility was installed, screening will take place for travellers entering Bhandari from outside, with doctors and medical team’s supervision. He further informed that CHC Bhandari has converted a room within the hospital vicinity into an isolation ward for observation and has also designated another room under the 7th NAP Bhandari hospital in case the need arises.
It was decided that the Police department will strictly monitor movements of tourists and foreigners and to restrict their entry. GBs, church and colony leaders were also given directive to create awareness and disseminate proper information in regard to taking safety measures against COVID-19. Shops and business establishments were notified to use mask and install hand sanitizers for customers and were also cautioned against selling preventive and protective materials such as hand sanitizers, masks and hand gloves at exorbitant price which may lead to attracting penalty. Lotha Hoho Bhandari, Eloe Hoho Bhandari, line departments, SBI Bhandari and churches were asked to install hand washing facilities at different feasible locations for general safety. Medical, Police, Education and IPR departments and the frontal organizations including the students’ union, churches and the business community attended the meeting as block task force members.
CBCMHK: Chakhesang Baptist Minister’s Hill Church, Kohima (CBCMHK) has encouraged its members to take this opportunity to rekindle faith in the Lord, impart family values and important matters of hygiene. A press release from the CBCMHK pastoral staff, media and publicity committee informed that, as responsible parent or guardian, one must cater to the needs of the youngsters and more vulnerable children, by upholding or organising family altar to strengthen and sustain members of Christ’s body. Members were called upon to enter into the secret sphere of sacred worship at home, in rooms, and in hearts, for God who sees in secret will reward abundantly. CBCMHK also stated that pastors and church leaders have not closed the church door to members or anyone seeking God, as the church is not the building but its members who were the body of Christ. CBCMHK also hopes that every individual member gives proper attention to implicitly strengthen in personal relationship with God.
HSS Dimapur: Hindu Sewa Samiti (HSS) Dimapur has also requested a ban of all public gatherings and functions as a precautionary measure and to cancel all the religious functions including aarati etc to avoid mass gathering. A press release from HSS Dimapur president, Gopal Sharma also advised that: All the temples & Hindu prayer centres are also requested to do the symbolic puja by the priests only; Allow the glimpses of the idols from outside the temple, one by one in the least possible time & do not allow two persons to gather at a time; Sanitizers & soap wash may be used wherever necessary. HSS requested all community members in particular to follow all the advisories of the central & state governments.
HSS along with Ganesh Sharma, supdt of DMC also visited the medical team set up at different places of Dimapur town, like Railway Station, Nagaland Gate, Khatkati Gate, Dilai Gate and Borlengri for testing Coronavirus.
MCD: Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD) held an emergency meeting on March 21 and has appealed all responsible leaders to stop mass based prayers and other activities in respective masjids. A press release from MCD working president, Ahidur Rahman stated that, this has been necessitated until such a time when the effect of the COVID-19 subsides. It however stated that, only the imam and masjid staff may be allowed to perform the mandatory namaz in the masjid.
ANTA Wokha: All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Wokha in view of government order and as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of Coronavirus has informed that, Wokha taxi service will not be available from March 23 till further notice. A press release from ANTA Wokha president, Hayithung Odyuo stated that, the Association will not be held responsible if any members violate the orders. It also stated that, anybody with signs & symptoms of influenza, cough, fever or difficulty in breathing or with query may contact district COVID-19 helpline numbers at 7005638276/9862258207/9436829001.
CGYD: Chümoukedima Gorkha Youth Dimapur (CGYD) members formulated its own hand sanitizer and distributed it among the senior Gorkha citizens of Chümoukedima town on March 21.
A press release by CGYD informed that three of its members, who are chemistry students, formulated the hand sanitizer in response to shortage of hand sanitizers in the market.
NCD general meeting postponed: Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has informed that the NCD councillors’ annual general meeting scheduled to be held on March 24 has been postponed till further notice.