Nagaland continues to keep strict vigil to combat COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the state by adopting various preventive measures. Legislators, high ranking and district officials have been constantly sending out directives, appeals, visitations, meetings and trainings to ensure that public are abiding with the guidelines. Fogging and other sanitising activities are conducted regularly by concerned agencies to discourage possible spread of the virus. Some businesses have been relaxed as per the requirements for public welfare. Charitable donations for the less fortunate continue to be given by government and private agencies in collaboration with respective district administrations. Frontline workers like administration, doctors, police, media, sanitation and others continue to carry out their duties during these trying times. Problems that are being faced by different sections of people are also being highlighted to the government through media outlets. Government is taking note of these and rigorously working towards alleviating the sufferings of the general public.
Wokha
Legislators visit Ralan area of Wokha district: Legislators from Wokha district led by deputy chief minister of Home, Road and Bridges, Y. Patton who is also in charge of COVID-19 for Wokha district visited Ralan area to check the preparedness level and held interaction with the public on April 25.
According to DIPR report, their visit was to take firsthand information with regard to COVID-19 pandemic crisis as Ralan area in the lower range share close border with Assam state. Ralan area Lotha Hoho, chairman, Samuel Ovung while apprising about the preventive measures undertaken by the area people on COVID-19 pandemic stated that the real challenge was health care facilities and man power to manage the crisis. He requested the legislators to post medical officer at PHC Ralan, lying vacant and additional security man power to curb frequent use of cross border activities undertaken by substance abusers and peddlers.
Y. Patton assured that he along with his colleagues will pursue the grievances at higher level. He also handed a cash amount of Rupees one lakh twenty thousand (Rs. 1, 20,000/-) to chief medical officer, Wokha for maintenance of four ambulances, for smooth accessibility during during emergency situation. Patton was accompanied by advisor, Horticulture & Border Affairs, Mathung Yanthan, advisor, Higher Technical & IT, Science & Technology, New & Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Dr. Chumben Murry MLA, jt. secretary Border Affairs L. Jamithiung Lotha, DIG (Border) Videlalie Zashumo, Sr. SP (Border) James Mhonbemo Humtsoe, DC & chairman District Task Force Wokha, Orenthung Lotha, CMO Dr. W. Tungoe and DDMA Wokha unit Mercy Kithan.
Kiphire
Leaders visit hailstorm affected villages in Pungro area: Public leaders from various organizations and individuals have reached out to hailstorm affected families in Pungro sub-division which occurred on April 21. A press release informed that, heavy hailstones with strong winds damaged houses and standing crops and fruits at several villages under Pungro sub-division of Kiphire district including, Salomi, Moya, Pinkim, Kongsa Town, Old Vongti, New Vongti, Pungro village, Pungro town and Kiuro. Former president Public Forum Pungro Sub-Division (PFPSD) S. Kiusumew Yimchunger along with GBs, PFPSD and leaders from various organizations paid a visit to the affected villages on April 25 and donated some cash. Kiusumew, earnestly requested upon the state government and civil society organizations to extend help in terms of monetary, material and prayer support towards the affected families. Kiusumew further encouraged upon the affected families not to lose heart but to have faith and also lauded the Village Guards (VGs) for their unceasing call of duty to protect its citizens.
Zunheboto
Medical and Police team keep vigil: Despite heavy rainfall and inclement weather condition for the past few days, the Zunheboto Medical and Police team perform their duty to safeguard the people and also maintain lockdown protocol in the district. A press release from COVID-India media reporter, Bombo K Yeptho stated that, teams at the check points of the district are keeping a check 24×7 on all the vehicles entering the district and getting their details to be submitted to the district COVID-19 control room. In town area, other teams are deployed along with volunteers to strictly monitor the maintenance of social distancing while purchasing essential commodities and in queue at the ATM or other necessary places. Frequent fogging, disinfectant drive and sanitization of the district is being carried out.
DC Zunheboto revises shop timings: Deputy commissioner (DC) Zunheboto sent out a notification informing all concerned with immediate effect until further order: All the shops selling essential commodities will be allowed to open on all working days of the week from 7 a.m to 12 noon; Shop keepers are to wear masks during business hours compulsorily; All shoppers will wear masks and maintain social distancing at all times; Transportation of pigs from Assam or other districts is totally banned till further notice with immediate effect.
Longleng
ADC & administrator LTC informs: ADC & administrator Longleng Town Council (LTC) has issued an order and permitted the following activities with immediate effect in Longleng district from 8 a.m to 12 noon: Shops for truck repairing along the highways with stipulated minimum distancing; All shops including shops in residential and market complex with mandatory wearing of masks; All shops including neighbourhood shpos and stand alone shops with mandatory wearing of masks; It is reiterated that saloons and dine-in restaurants, eateries and hotels shall continue to remain closed. However home deliveries from dine-in restaurant, outlets and delivery of online orders of essential commodities shall be permitted; The proprietors of all shops and establishments allowed to open will make arrangements for keeping hand sanitizer or provide hand washing with soaps. Further, the proprietors and establishments should clean and disinfect the handle, surface and other objects frequently touched by people regularly. However, as specified in the lockdown measures, national COVID-19 directives and standard operating procedures, protocols for social distancing must be strictly followed by all.
Tuensang
Meeting with church leaders: District administration Tuensang held a meeting with the executive secretaries of the churches of four tribes of Tuensang in connection with COVID-19 at the office chamber of DC Tuensang on April 24, chaired by DC, Kumar Ramnikant. According to DIPR report, DC expressed his appreciation to the CBLT for taking initiative to sensitize and disseminate information on COVID-19 by visiting 42 Chang villages. He urged that other executive secretaries replicate the same within their respective jurisprudence and also supplement government efforts while disseminating information. He also stressed that awareness team must intensify awareness efforts by clearing the myths and imparting basic knowledge to every member of the village.
DC encouraged the SHG/NGOs to stitch reusable mask for the villages as a measure to control the spread of the disease through improper disposal of single-use masks. Meeting discussed how to create on interactive team of people in every village as a knowledge pool and in order to address doubts of people regarding COVID-19 pandemic. DC also stated the inter-district movement after lockdown period will result inward movement of people to the villages, whereby awareness must be given to the villages to avoid any social stigma associated with COVID-19 against the people entering the villages. He also highlighted the recent ordinance approved by the centre for protection of healthcare workers under which rigorous fine and imprisonment will be imposed for violence and harassment against healthcare workers. To ensure that no peer group farming is allowed, farmers are to strictly adhere to social/physical distancing norms, he added. He advised villagers to be sensitized on the SOP for corpse management of COVID-19 dead body as per WHO and ministry of Health and Family welfare, no stigmatization or discrimination should happen in any village with regard to COVID-19 death.
Mon
WASU opposes entry and exit in Wakching area: Wakching Area Students’ Union (WASU) has resolved to oppose the entry and exit of any person in Wakching area at an emergency meeting held on April 26.
A press release from WASU president Chinge M Konyak and general secretary, Chingmei Nokwang stated that, meeting was held with all village council chairmen of Wakching area. WASU stated that, all persons intending to travel to and from Wakching area will not be allowed, in context with the present situation created by COVI D-19 pandemic. House also resolved to abstain from transporting stranded people from within and outside the state and asked them to remain at their respective place(s). House also acknowledged the tireless efforts and contributions of the respective federating units of WASU, Police personnel, administration, VGs, village councils, Medical team, NG0s, churches and volunteers in fighting against COVID-19.