With the ongoing nationwide lockdown, Nagaland government has relaxed some activities for operation in the state. Government continues to assess and prepare for any eventuality by reinforcing the guidelines to be followed by the public for safety. Meetings are being held to take stock of essential food grains in the state and also for promoting horticultural produces. Mock drills are being conducted in various districts as part of preparedness level, while sanitation drive plays a vital role for ensuring that COVID-19 pandemic does not break out in the state. Awareness programmes are continuously being held for various stakeholders, always keeping the welfare of the public as top priority. So far, the state has been declared as green zone and the government agencies are fighting to maintain this status. Since public mobility is limited during the lockdown, the district administrations in collaboration with banks are providing mobile ATM booths.
Kohima District
Kenye holds meeting with district administration: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Nagaland, K. G. Kenye held a meeting with deputy commissioner Kohima Gregory Thejawelie along with Sr. SP Kohima, CMO Kohima, administrator KMC, ADS Kohima and KCCI at DC’s office chamber Kohima on May 4.
According to DIPR report, the MP informed that the meeting was convened as member of the National Standing Committee (NSC), GoI to take stock of food grains and other essential commodities in the state starting with Kohima district. He said he has been appointed as a member for the whole North Eastern states, whereby he would be visiting other districts of the state as well as the other NE states.
In the meeting, the district administration, KMC, ADS and KCCI gave reports on the relief distribution activities and arrangement for availability of food grains and other essential commodities being carried out during lockdown period in the district. MP was of the view that the district administration and KCCI play the lead role to ensure that every common man gets their share of all essential commodities, whereby he requested the district to streamline the demand of the consumers upto the consume points. MP asked KCCI to extend more coordination at the ground level and cooperate with the district administration as KCCI represents the public. He further asked ADS to update the demand of the grassroot level and also give monthly report on the stock position to the district administration. Kenye further lauded the district administration, Medical, Police, KMC, KCCI and all other frontline workers for executing their duties by risking their lives and encouraged them to be more responsible and to be safe. DC also said that the district has faced many challenges on daily basis but expressed that those challenges has been a learning and upgrading preparedness with coordination of all concerned departments, civil societies, villages, wards and other organisations in the district.
COVID-19 Horticulture Special Drive launched: COVID-19 Horticulture Special Drive district tour launching programme was held on May 4 at the conference hall, directorate of Horticulture with advisor Horticulture, Mhathung Yanthan as the special guest. According to DIPR report, Yanthan said that as COVID-19 was affecting crop cultivation and food supply chain, the COVID-19 Horticulture Special Drive has been set up as a mission to work and make the state self sufficient in horticulture crops for nutritional and economic benefits.
He called on all the officers to carry the message to the farmers about the standard operating procedure and guide lines on COVID-19 issued by the government. He informed that the touring programme will cover all the district headquarters and all villages would be covered by respective district horticulture officer to collect necessary information and database for improvement of the horticulture sector in the state. Touring team will start from May 5 and is divided into four groups. Yanthan will be leading one group, commissioner and secretary Horticulture will be leading another and other groups by the director and senior officers of the department.
Director Horticulture Dr. R. Elithung Lotha said that COVID-19 touring team aims to impart training to farmers and providing necessary inputs to farmers on time and establishing strong network of market linkages for the surplus produces of farmers for efficient and timely distribution and better price. Frontline staff of the department is a part of the COVID-19 frontline team to reach out and help farmers.
12th Bn NDRF sanitisation drive: One sub team of 12th Bn NDRF Doimukh carried out sanitisation drive COVID-19 at Kohima secretariat as precautionary measure to stop the spread of coronavirus. A press release from 12th Bn NDRF Doimukh stated that, the drive was carried out under supervision of Sh. Arun Deogam comdt NDRF Doimukh. Rescuers of 12th Bn NDRF sprayed the disinfectant mixture of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and water at the office of CM, deputy CM, conference hall, home secretary chamber, SBI office, NSDMA office and account section by jet spray machine.
Sub inspector K. P. Singh (team leader) informed that NDRF will continue to do the same.
Dimapur District
DC Dimapur inspects mobile ATM: Deputy commissioner Dimapur, Anoop Kinchi inspected the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank (NStCB) mobile ATM on Monday, which continues to facilitate customers in the rural and border areas and is an initiative of NStCB in collaboration with district administration Dimapur.
According to DIPR report, Khinchi said that during lockdown when people were unable to come out into the town, the mobile ATM went to the doorsteps to enable them to draw cash for buying essential commodities from their respective colony markets. Apart from that, specifically the villagers in the Assam boundary who were using services from Dimapur were unable to come towards Nagaland after the borders were sealed. Therefore the mobile ATM was taken to the border areas to ease the burden of the people staying there, Kinchi maintained.
General manager NStCB Dimapur, Ningsangwaba who was also present at the site pointed out that although there were many ATM booths in the city, rural and border areas lacked the presence of ATM booths. In this regard and in order to cover up the uncovered areas, he said that the mobile ATM was introduced on November 10, 2017 during NStCB golden jubilee celebration.
Mock drill conducted at COVID-19 Hospital Dimapur: Mock drill simulating treatment and subsequent death of COVID patient in the ward and the protocols to be followed in such scenario was conducted at District Hospital Dimapur on May 4.
According to DIPR report, during the mock drill, the doctors, nurses and health workers strictly followed the guidelines for PPE donning serially (hand hygiene, shoes, hairnet, gloves, gown, mask, goggle, cap, gloves) and doffing. Doctors from Dimapur District Hospital informed that that were 4 teams divided with a team leader for each group. Mock drills and PPE donning and doffing practice are conducted daily team wise, as per COVID duty roster, doctors informed.
KMC informs on street vendors locations: Administrator Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) Kovi Meyase has informed that with effect from May 6, the following locations are designated for SEWA-nominated street vendors in Kohima till May 17. According to DIPR report, the designated areas are: Hotel Japfü Entrance (BOC area); Box cutting near War Cemetery; APMC Market (TCPGate area); Super Market Area (near Northern Gate); Pezielietsie (Tin- Patti); Peraciezie (High School-Secretariat Jn.).
This shall be subject to the following Terms & Conditions: Only bonafide SEWA members having valid pass issued by the KMC shall be allowed to sell local products andvegetables at the designated areas; The SEWA nominated vendors shall compulsorily use masks and hand gloves; All products shall be sold in kgs and not in bundles; Use of banned plastic is strictly prohibited; Strict social distancing shall be maintained; Sale of any prohibited item(s) is restricted; Violation of any of the above terms and conditions shall lead to immediate cancellation of the permit with fines.
Mokokchung District
MDTF on COVID- 19 launch face mask distribution: Launching programme of face mask distribution by Mokokchung District Task Force (DTF) on COVID-19 was held at the community hall, Khensa village on May 4. According to DIPR report, deputy commissioner & convenor DTF on COVID- 19, Mokokchung, Limawabang Jamir, said the citizen funded project to stitch two lakhs washable masks was to ensure that every single person in the district has a mask to wear compulsory to contain the spread of COVID- 19 pandemic should the situation arise. While stating that battle against COVID-19 pandemic would continue until a vaccine was found, the DC asked the citizens to be self disciplined, maintain personal hygiene and strictly follow the directions being given by the authorities. He also appealed the civil societies and the churches for their continuous support in the days ahead. Programme was chaired by EAC Ongpangkong (South), Sangpangchang Longkumer, welcome address was delivered by chairman Village Council Khensa, Kilentoshi while dedicatory prayer was pronounced by pastor, Khensa Baptish Church, Rev. K. Temjen. Earlier, EAC & nodal officer for the face mask campaign, Sentilong Ozukum expressed appreciation to all the donors and volunteers who came forward to help Mokokchung. Campaign has created a website where all the latest information about the face mask project will be available including the detail of the work progress. Various SHGs and volunteers also use an integrated dashboard platform online where one can track the progress of work. Volunteers can simply request for more material or pickup of readymade masks at the click of a button from their mobile phone. Nodal officer also expressed appreciation to Dr. Vivek Choudhory, currently working at INSEAD, Singapore and volunteering in creating, designing and operating websites and apps for the Face Mask Project. He also monitors the entire online dashboard from Singapore using the hashtag # iamwithmokokchung.
Phek District
HCMC and CHC Meluri sensitisation programme: Health Centre Management Committee (HCMC) of Community Health Centre (CHC) Meluri conducted a sensitisation programme for the highly susceptible group of people in the society i.e senior citizens and pregnant women on May 3 from increased health risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A press release NHM Phek district media officer, Kutolu Nakro stated that, the Do’s and Dont’s for protection during COVID-19 pandemic such as proper technique of hand hygiene/personal hygiene was highlighted to them.
Health care services were also provided through checking of blood pressure and diabetes, nutritional food supplement was also given to all the pregnant women and elderly.
Longleng District
Longleng DTF mock drill on COVID-19: Longleng District Task Force (DTF) on COVID-19 comprising of Medical department, administration, Police, Fire and Emergency Services conducted a mock drill at COVID-19 Hospital on May 4. A press release from CMO office, district media officer Roseline stated that, the drill was to test the preparedness of the DTF in handling emergency situation in the event of COVID-19 outbreak in the district. It aims to review the COVID-19 response plan and containment strategy, enhance co-ordination with various government resources, manpower, logistics and communication.
The mock drill started with a patient showing symptoms associated with COVID-19, swab sample collection, sending of sample to the testing centres, handling of COVID-19 patient and quarantine of relatives and handling of deceased patient. Mock drill exercises witnessed development of the actual resource personnel like medical workers, trained volunteers, security personnel, machineries and equipments like trucks, ambulance, protective gears/PPEs etc. Mock drill was followed by briefing from medical superintendent Dr Lhouvizotuo Belho at the hospital where certain gaps and suggestions noted by the observers were deliberated upon.
LTC imposes total ban on single-use plastics: ADC & administrator of Longleng Town Council (LTC) D. Robin in a notification has banned all single-use plastics in Longleng town with immediate effect. According to DIPR report, the following single-use plastics will be totally banned: All plastic carry bags with or without handles irrespective of thickness and sizes; Plastic cutlery including plates, plastic cups, straws, stirrers, etc; Cutlery and any other decorative plastics made of styrofoam (thermocol); Polythene; Nylon; Poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC); Poly-propylene and poly-styrene. LTC also informed to all concerned that in the distribution of COVID-19 relief materials, no single-use plastic should be used in packing of relief materials. Any other alternative reusable bags like paper bags/jute and locally made non-plastic bags may be used. Public are also encouraged to carry/bring their own carry bags during distribution of relief items and for marketing purposes. Necessary action will be initiated against the defaulters as per the provisions of the law.
Zunheboto District
Second phase training on COVID-19: Second phase awareness and training on COVID-19 for stakeholders were held at Pughoboto and Suruhoto blocks under Zunheboto district on May 4.
A press release from CMO office, district media officer Shekho Sophie stated that, Dr. J. Hokugha Sema, SMO Pughoboto CHC highlighted about contact tracing, active surveillance, passive surveillance, field surveillance team, logistics and sample collection test advisory at community level. Dr. Visavotuo Sanchu shared preventive measures, home quarantine tips and use of disinfectant at common places and office. Dr. Alvis spoke on containment zone and dead body management. Scientific session was followed by discussion about preparedness status review which was moderated by Dr. J. Hokugha Sema.
In Suruhoto block Dr. Renchamo, MO I/c took over the session. The house also decided that students coming from other districts will be allowed to enter the town after obtaining necessary formalities from the block administration and will be shifted to quarantine centre arranged by the Medical department. It was also resolved to deploy more Police personnel and volunteers in the two check gates to man the gate 24X7 and strict social distancing to be maintained. Programme was attended by administration, Police, SMO, medical officers, GBs, DBs, STH, student leaders, church leaders, AWW and ASHA.