COVID-19 preparedness: Appeals, orders, preventive measures

With the surge of COVID-19 positive cases across the country and in the state, the state government, its agencies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been issuing directives, appeals and taking preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus. 

DTF meeting in Kohima

DTF, Kohima convened an emergency meeting on April 23 headed by DC Kohima Gregory Thejawelie along with legislators in-charge for Kohima, minister, PWD housing & mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum and advisor, urban development and municipal affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire. 

According to DIPR report, the meeting deliberated on level of preparedness for the second wave of COVID -19 surge and discussed that the ICU facility at Meriema to be activated as soon as possible. Paid quarantine for people to be isolated was also noted to be proposed as it had become a necessity with people coming from other states.  

On the status of vaccination in Kohima, the concerned department pointed out that a total of 27,775 front line workers, health workers and in the age and above of 45 were vaccinated. However with limited vaccine available in the state, H&FW department anticipated the government to provide more vaccine for the whole state to be vaccinated. With shortage of oxygen in the whole country, DTF requested to inquire the status and activities of oxygen plant in Dimapur and to envisage an actual plant in Kohima as well.

DTF also decided to appeal to the area administrators, village authorities, blocks, wards, church to regulate and streamline outsiders to follow necessary protocols, to disseminate information on the new Covid SOPs and enforce Covid appropriate behaviors.

The members also deliberated on screening at entry and exit points of the border areas. Since thermal screening became a futile exercise, the recommendation to increase temporary unit to test the commuter was also discussed.

DC also requested Rengma Hohos to take up measures to assist DTF Kohima in creating awareness on vaccination progress.

Advisory under Longleng district

All village and ward authorities under Longleng district have been requested to circulate and implement the following guidelines under their respective jurisdiction for surveillance of returnees travelling to Longleng district from outside the state. 

The returnees upon arrival to Longleng district shall self-isolation/home quarantine for a period of 10 days. During the home quarantine period, the returnee will not be allowed to venture outside the house.

Visitors have been restricted and directed to practice COVID-19 appropriate behaviour; family of the returnee should not be discriminated in any way including procurement of essential commodities; returnee shall be released from home quarantine after 10 days if, he/she does not develop any COVID-19 related symptoms.

In case of cough/fever/difficulty in breathing/ loss of sense of smell and taste/ conjunctivitis/ diarrhoea or any other Covid-19 related symptoms he/she should immediately report to the authority so that necessary action can be initiated at Longleng district COVID-19 helpline no: 7005939851/ 9612927005/6009964294/ 8787614315.

VTF at Sechü Zubza 

Sub-divisional officer (C) Sechü Zubza, Tiayanger Jamir has notified all village councils under Sechü Zubza sub-division which are also the Village Disaster Management Authority (VDMA) to be constituted as “village task force (VTF) COVID-19” to plan the strategies at the local level; to contain the spread of the virus and also assist the villagers; medical officers & staff posted in the concerned Village and the front line workers involved in the management of COVID-19 cases in their respective villages. The notification stated that VTF would impose SOPs and standing instructions of the government in the village. 

It would also create wide publicity in their villages on regular basis to contain the spread of the virus and work within laid down guidelines of the government from time to time.

VTF would extend assistance to the medical department in their respective villages and coordinate with medical officers/front line workers even in the vaccination awareness drive in the villages. 

In extreme cases, basing on the gravity of the situation, where the VTF would want to impose certain measures in their village to contain the spread of the virus, prior consultation with concerned medical officers and approval of DTF Kohima through the sub-divisional Task Force Sechü Zubza would be taken.

New market Dimapur follows odd-even number

New Market Business Owners’ Association (NMBOA) led by its president, Kughali Chishi along with new market GB, Khekishe Aye pasted odd-even numbers outside shops at New Market on April 22. 

In a press release, NMBOA mentioned that the guidelines were followed as per direction of Dimapur district administration to open market on alternate days following odd-even system. The opening of shops at New Market following odd even system commenced on April 23.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dimapur H. Atokhe Aye with GB Khekishe Aye also visited the market to see whether the system was followed by the shopkeepers. Aye also visited New market Masjid.

Holotoli School sealed

Deputy Commissioner & District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) chairman, Rajesh Soundaranjan has informed that Holotoli School, Padumpukhuri has been sealed from the date of issuing of this order during which, necessary sanitisation of the premises would be done by the management. Any person violating these containment measures would be penalised as per the provisions of Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC. 

Orgs cancel meetings

NTUCT: In view of the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town (NTUCT) has informed that the co-ordination meeting on shifting DC office to its new complex Chümoukedima Town Hq. scheduled to be held on April 24 has been postponed until further notice. NTUCT urged general public of Chümoukedima town to follow and maintain necessary SOP guidelines in order to remain safe. Meanwhile, ENPO has informed that in view of the increasing rise of COVID-19 positive cases in the state, ENPO – CEC meeting which was scheduled to be held on April 27 at Tuensang has been postponed indefinitely.