As the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic lockdown continues across Nagaland, the state government and its agencies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been issuing directives, appeals and taking preventive measures to contain the spread of the deadly virus. District administrations of the eleven districts along with police are keeping vigil to enforce lockdown while at the same time ensuring that public gain access to essential commodities. Several initiatives have been taken up to create awareness on COVID-19 pandemic.
Kohima District
Inspection of markets at Kohima town; shoppers asked to maintain social distancing
With a view to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in Kohima district, a committee on social distancing and lockdown enforcement was constituted headed by district administrator with members from government departments and civil societies.
According to DIPR report, the committee on April 19 began its task in monitoring the precautionary measures to be followed during the window period (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) within Kohima town.
The report informed that elected members under Kohima district led by the legislators in-charge for Kohima district, Minister Housing & Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum; advisor Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire; advisor Veterinary & Animal Husbandery, R. Khing; advisor Youth Resource & Sports, Er. Zale Neikha; MLA Neikezhakuo Nakhro and MLA, Khriehu Liezietsu inspected the main shopping areas located at BOC, Razhü point and High School junction.
The elected members observed that with the involvement and assistance of the civil societies, the implementation of social distancing at most of the shopping points have been tackled successful with the cooperation of the general public.
Minister Tongpang opined that plans need to be formulated for the main shopping area at BOC in order to ensure that proper social distancing was maintained as many wholesalers and vegetable vendors are located in the area.
Besides the district administration, KMC and Police, the committee members included AYO, ASU, KVYO, KCCI and AKMW for assisting in social distancing at various shopping areas and also to assist the stranded students.
The legislators also urged the shoppers to maintain social distancing and also thanked the volunteers from various civil societies for their services and efforts in helping out the district administration and police towards the safety of the public.
Relief camp inmates avail medical check-up
Kohima district administration and district disaster management authority (DDMA) on April 19 conducted a basic health checkup for migrant labourers and others stationed at the Relief camp, Kohima Local ground.
According to DIPR report, Dr. Rüyangulie Paphino from Chief Medical Office (CMO) Kohima conducted the basic medical check-up for the inmates at the relief camp.
The report stated that inmates had come from different places within Kohima district and kept under one accommodation. Altogether 15 persons were checked for possible health ailments relating to coronavirus, fever, cold and tuberculosis.
Directives on perishable goods
With a view to encourage social distancing and minimise gathering of public in the market, Deputy Commissioner, Kohima has issued following directives and guidelines to be implemented with immediate effect till further orders.
According to DIPR report, the directive is as follows: no street vending will be allowed: only the whole sale shops selling perishable goods will be allowed to open (no retail sale allowed) at the following locations – BOC, Super Market, High School, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with all other exempted categories; respective colonies to collect the perishable goods from the above location on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the above location for retailing in their respective colonies.
Red Cross & NY volunteers trained on COVID-19
Training for the Red Cross and National Youth volunteers on COVID-19 was held Monday at the Conference Hall of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mokokchung.
A press release by district programme management unit, NRHM, Mokokchung, stated that the training was organised as per the directive of Governor and ex- officio president Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland State Branch, R.N. Ravi and as per per the guidelines given by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) headquarters New Delhi and directives from the deputy commissioner Mokokchung.
The release stated that resource persons, Dr Aonungdok (epidemiologist) and Dr Tsipongchem (pathologist) trained the volunteers on the origin, transmission, prevention, control measures, medical care, supportive environment, safe practices like frequent hand washing, social distancing, use of mask, avoiding public places etc.
The volunteers were also highlighted about the incubation period which may last up to 14 days before symptoms emerge while some patients may spread COVID-19 during the incubation period.
A short video clip on seven steps of hand washing and bio medical waste management was shown and demonstration on hand washing, use of mask and gloves and disposal was also demonstrated.
Another session of training among the NSS volunteer from Fazl Ali College Mokokchung was also held.
Health workers create community awareness
Health workers of Phek district have been creating community awareness on COVID-19 pandemic.
The frontline workers which include Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) have been reaching out to a large group of people and creating community awareness on COVID-19 by conducting house-to-house visit.
A press release by district media officer NHM, Phek informed that the ASHAs have been disseminating the importance of social distancing, hand-washing, personal hygiene/cough etiquette through demonstration.
Mobile Medical Unit team (MMU) and School Health Program (SHP) team have also been carrying out house visits of all colonies of Phek Town for screening of people who were under home quarantine.
The activity was also carried out even at the block level, stated the release.
SPO asks contractors to take precautionary measures
In view of the resumption of the ongoing 2-lane Pfütsero – Phek road amidst the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, Secheku Public Organization (SPO) has asked contractors of NHIDCL to take all precautionary measures before resuming the construction work.
In a press release, SPO president, Vekhosa Ruho pointed out that the virus has remained “foreign” to the area unless the same was “imported” from hotspots zones.
Since the villages have been isolated and no individual was permitted to go out or enter the villages, SPO said it was confident that the people of the area would in “no way import the deadly coronavirus”.
In the event of resumption of construction work, SPO said there would be vehicular movements transporting road construction materials from “COVID-19 hotspots i.e. Dimapur and Assam without sanitizing the vehicles or screening the occupants while entering our area”.
Therefore, SPO has advised the concerned contractor/agency to take all precautionary measures. Failing to heed the advice and if any eventualities pertaining to COVID 19 arise within its jurisdiction, SPO said the contractor/agency shall be held responsible.
Dimapur District
Farmers, others involved in agri & allied activities exempted
Dimapur district administration has informed that farmers and other persons involved in agriculture and allied activities have been exempted from the lockdown.
According to DIPR report, the Dimapur district administration has stated that movement of persons involved in agriculture and allied activities should not be obstructed or hindered. It said instances of violation are liable to be penalized under Section 188 of the IPC.
The report informed that Activities/items exempted from the purview of lockdown measures included: all agriculture and horticulture activities including farming operation by farmers, agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products including MSP operations, mandis operated by the APMC or as notified by state government, shops of agriculture machinery, its spare parts and repairs to remain open, manufacturing, distribution of fertilizer, pesticides and seeds, custom hiring centres(CHC) related to farm machinery and movement (inter and intra state) of harvesting and sowing related machines.
MoN District
Relief to ‘needy people’
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mon, Thavaseelan K has informed that relief to “needy people” was extended by Seva Bharati, Mon District in collaboration with district administration, Mon on April 15-16.
According to DIPR report, 210 “needy people” including widows, daily wage earners, stranded students and senior citizens living within Mon Town were given food packages. It said the identification of beneficiaries and distribution of relief was done under the charge of in-charge, Seva Bharati, Mon, Lucy Y. Elang.
Tuensang District
Seminar on Covid-19 for frontline workers
A seminar on COVID-19 was organised for the frontline workers by 45 Assam Rifles at DBs Court Shamator wherein topics like social distancing, regularly hand washing, proper hygiene, staying at home for stay safe, not to go out without valid and important reasons, how to handle quarantine peoples, and how to be a responsible front line worker were highlighted. The seminar was held with 45 Assam Rifles, asst. Commandant, Dr. Subash Chauhan as a resource person and T. Hantsula Yimchunger, area ASHA coordinator as a translator.
