Preparedness level steps up during 4.0 lockdown across the state

Deputy commissioner Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi convened a meeting of Dimapur District Task Force (DTF) members, to discuss issues pertaining to COVID-19 at the conference hall of DC Dimapur on May 18. 

According to DIPR report, while observing that Coronavirus would remain for a long time, Anoop re-iterated that following hand hygiene, wearing masks and maintaining social distance should be part of lifestyle to defeat the virus.  In the meeting it was decided that a meeting would be convened to resolve the Borlingiri problem. DC Dimapur sought help from the civil societies and advised them to be prepared for arranging quarantine centers to help people. He said that government was trying its best to enhance the capacity to take the returnees but incase of emergency the services of the civil societies would be required. In the meeting, all the civil societies, GBs, and all stakeholders committed to work collectively in the fight against the unseen virus.

 

Duncan Bosti Council (DBC) Dimapur resolved guidelines for those returnees from outside the state and would be residing within its jurisdiction.

In a press conference held Monday, at DBC community hall, DBC chairman Yangertoshi informed that the council has resolved that all stranded returnee shall be compulsorily kept under home quarantine for 14 days from the day of entry to the colony. He said that this will be observed even after they had have undergone quarantine protocol as per government norms at various quarantine centres in Dimapur. 

Council also cautioned that non adherence to the guidelines will be dealt with stringent penalty. Chairman conveyed that information have been passed out to the 600 households within the jurisdiction to deliver details about the stranded returnees to the council. He also mentioned that the council will be supervising the implementation of the resolution within its jurisdiction. 

Council informed that a seminar has been convened on May 19, 2 p.m. at community hall for the returnee family members which will be conducted by Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) medical officer. The council will also be handing out advisory on Do’s and Don’ts.

It may be mentioned that the council has been extending their cooperation in adhering to the guidelines and have been providing assistance to the frontline workers. (Staff Reporter)

Following the appeal made to the churches by APC and Dimapur district COVID-19 in-charge, Kikheto Sema, the executive committee of Kuda Village Baptist Church (KVBC) held an emergency meeting on May 17.  

In a press release, the KVBC pastor Rev. Miazeilie Sakhrie informed that meeting resolved to accommodate all the asympotomatic  Angamis from Kuda village (Naaarjan) jurisdiction returning from outside the state at its guest house within the church premises. The release also informed all asymptomatic Angamis whose permanent address is Kuda village (Nagarajan) returning from outside the state through special trains/buses may be informed to the following persons, namely Rev. Miazielie Sakhrie at 8730048655, KVBC chairman Vitsosie Vüprü at 8575012362 and Vimeno Liegise at 87687509968. 

Meanwhile, APC & COV1D 19 i/c Dimapur district Kikhcto Sema told Nagaland Post that, “we are happy that our appeal has been heard by the church leaders, community leaders etc accepting their own people coming back home.” 

 

Longleng COVID-19 District Task Force (DTF) held a meeting on May 18 at DC’s conference hall Longleng. 

According to DIPR report, DC and chairman, Districts Task Force Longleng M. Shayung Phom chaired the meeting which was held in view of the arrival of stranded people from different states of the country. 

Longleng has set up two quarantine centres, one at Phom Lempong School and the other at Yingli College Longleng till now. CMO Longleng briefed about medical care and supervision system in quarantine center, while EAC Longleng Pichano Kikon also gave a brief report on the preparedness of quarantine centres.

While welcoming the stranded citizens back home, the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has also requested all the returnees to strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down by the state government at the quarantine centres. 

In a press release, AYO president Kekhrie Pfukha and vice president Neidilhoutuo Sechü impressed upon the returnees to take initiative to protect themselves, such as wearing mask, maintaining safe physical distance and using sanitisers.

AYO also expressed that people were apprehensive for the returnees if they do not undergo the 14 days mandatory institutional quarantine. AYO however stated that now the government has put in place more stringent measures to fight the pandemic and welcome the move of the government. AYO also appreciated the state government for insisting on 14 days mandatory institutional quarantine at the state designated quarantine centres for citizens returning from outside the state. AYO further stated that, there was need for collective effort from all concerned stakeholders and individuals to combat the deadly virus and any form of lapse or lackadaisical approach at this hour can be too costly for the state and its populace. 

 

In pursuant to the direction of the ministry of Human Resource Development, department of School Education and Literacy, India regarding police verification of drivers/helpers of vehicles ferrying children to schools, the department of School Education Nagaland has issued a notification on May 1 with instructions to be complied by all schools in Nagaland. According to DIPR report, the instructions are: All schools shall take all possible steps to ensure safety of school children in their journey to and from school; Police verification shall be carried out in respect of the drivers and helpers etc. of bus/van/auto rickshaw ferrying school children; All drivers/helpers ferrying schoolchildren shall be engaged by the school only after completion of verification of their character and antecedents by the Police. A driver who has been known to have committed offences in the past such as drunk driving, rash driving, violation of traffic rules, etc shall not be employed; Police verification shall be done after every 2 (two) years to ensure safety and well being of the school children; Medical checkup regarding the physical fitness of the school bus driver including the eye testing shall be carried out every year; All schools shall adhere to these instructions.  Action shall be taken against school authorities in case of violation/lapse. 

 

 

Additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Rhosietho Nguori organised a one-day training to combat COVID-19 at auditorium of Government High School, Tening on May 17. 

According to DIPR report, Rhosietho Nguori asked the volunteers to be mentally and physically prepared to combat the pandemic. 

EAC Tumben P. Tsanglao highlighted on the rules and regulations to deal with and follow up for the combat of COVID-19. 

Tsanglao said one police personnel will be deployed to each quarantine centre for security and surveillance team. 

No entry and exit will be allowed for unauthorised people at the quarantine centre. Dr. Neilasakuo Linyu, medical officer of CHC expressed gratitude to the volunteers for coming forward and appealed people to use mask and practice social distancing for self protection. 

Further, he requested not to discriminate the returnees. 

The training was attended by Sub-Divisional Task Force, village leaders, youths and LBA representatives.

In order to discuss strategic measures and to extend support to district administration, the Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) invited Eastern Sumi Kukami Hoho (ESKH) Eastern Sumi Totimi Hoho (ESTH) and Kiphire Tuensang District Sumi Student Union (KTDSSU) to seek their opinion on May 16. A press release from ESH vice president, H. Phutoi Sumi and general secretary, Robert Heeto stated that, the meeting unanimously adopted the following points: In order to strictly regulate and monitor the numbers of people coming in the district and to avoid any apprehension in the minds of the general public, only government arranged vehicles are to be used to ferry stranded people once the quarantine period is completed from Dimapur and Kohima will be allowed into the district and further ESH strictly restricted the use of private vehicles; The house also decided to allow the students and others stranded outside Nagaland to submit their names and addresses, who missed out during the first submission to the district administration, Kiphire. 

The ESH further stated that the containment of COVID-19 could be feasible only through the unity of all civil society, organizations, faith-based organizations, irrespective of any denomination without any differentiation among human race.  

It added that everyone should play proactive role as a team by extending best support to the district administration and not to depend only on the frontline workers. 

Deputy commissioner (DC) Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant has constituted a management committee to supervise the functioning of the Government Polytechnic Setem and Tuensang quarantine centre (QC). According to DIPR report, the following members are: Principal, Government Polytechnic Sedem, Er. Among as team leader, asst. professor, Sao Chang College, Mudang, district cultural officer, Rulong Sangtam, JE Electrical, Lipok, JE PHED, S. Akangjungshi Chang, P/T Angan Sangdak, Menya Wongto, P/T GMS Sedem Tuensang village, Mongdayshang, representative each from CKS/KTC/USLP/YTC/CCSU/KSU/USSC/YAA and president TVSU as the members. 

Duties and Responsibilities are as follows: To coordinate with the Reception committee at Chare and make necessary arrangements to receive the returnees; Maintain proper records related to QC and report to War Room on a daily basis; Monitor the day to day functioning of the QC and identify the needs and requirements of the QC; Check the quality of food served at the QC, hygiene condition, water supply, electricity, etc; To liaise with security agencies/medical team stationed at QC for better coordination. 

A mock drill was held at public local ground Bhandari on May 17, wherein standard operating procedures (SOP) from the reception point to respective institutional quarantine facilities and procedures were followed. According to DIPR report, the mock drill was conducted for the purpose of familiarization of COVID-19 quarantine SOP for the frontline workers and also to identify practical gaps for systematic and safe management of the returnees for health safety and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A guideline was also made for the returnees at the quarantine facility. Emergency response plan for Bhandari sub-division on COVID-19 has been structured with the following officers designated in different Incident Response System (IRS) positions: Tiameren Chang ADC, responsible  officer (RO) T. Sulanthung SDO (Civil) incident commander (IC) Dr Riku Khutso, EAC Hq deputy incident commander (Dy. IC) Selemla S. Sangtam EAC Baghty, liasion officer (LO) Dr Chonben, MO, CHC, planning section chief (PSC) Sukumo Kikon, SDPO Bhandari, safety officer (SO) Dr Lawrence Lotha MO, CHC Bhandari, operation section chief (OSC) Ngou   I/C, 7th NAP, logistic section chief (LSC) Lily Lotha APRO, information & media officer (IMO).

Lotha Students Union (LSU) has appealed to all the concerned families of the stranded persons outside the state entering wokha district to strictly adhere to the SOP directives of the state government to undergo 14 days mandatory institutional quarantine at the designated centres irrespective of zones. A press release from LSU president Ashanthung Humtsoe and general secretary, Pithungo Shitio has also appealed to all the stranded individuals entering Nagaland to immediately report at the quarantine centre at Dimapur. This will enable the health care workers to complete the medical screening formalities and transportation arrangement to Wokha district.

LSU also cautioned that any individual/families found violating the laid down guidelines of undergoing institutional quarantine centres in Wokha will face consequences as per the law.