District administration, organisations tighten measures to fight coronavirus

Several facilities to be used for quarantine identified in Kiphire

Dimapur, March 16 (EMN): In view of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases rising across the world, including India, districts administrations and civil society organisations in Nagaland have taken up stepped up precautionary measures to stop entry of the virus into the state.

In its monthly meeting held at the at DC Conference Hall Mon on March 16, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Thavaseelan K, the Mon District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) discussed several agenda including the Covid-19.

An update received on Monday informed that Mon CMO Dr. Kechongol Sophie stressed on Covid-19, informing that screening is done at different gates and sensitisation to all health workers, teachers and police are underway. He also declared that there were no suspected cases of coronavirus in Mon so far.

The board also discussed on financial assistance for 6th NAP Battalion Pipe Band and taking up SK Wangsa farm as Mon district recreational park and meeting picnic spot. It recommended setting up of pharmacist/nurse post in District Jail and registration of Wangnao Welfare Society.

The deputy commissioner handed over the prize to the winner of painting competition held under the theme “Plastic Free Sensitisation Campaign”, while Home Guard and Civil Defence and District Sericulture Office, Mon presented its departmental activities.

Pughoboto SDPDB

MLA Y Vikheho Swu has directed all the medical officers of Pughoboto to be in their respective posting places to be prepared and take preventive measure on the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Swu, who is also the chairman of Sub Division Planning and Development Board (SDPDB) Pughoboto, said this at the board meeting held on March 16 at the ADC Pughoboto office, informed an update from DIPR.

He advised the doctors to make the symptoms of coronavirus known to the villagers and ask them to maintain hygiene as well as use hand sanitiser. He further informed all the officers to keep hand sanitiser in their offices.

The house also approved to write a letter to mission director, Shamagra Shiksha to put upgrading of Government High School Pughoboto to Higher Secondary School “in priority list”. ADC Pughoboto T Moa Lemtor reviewed the last meeting minutes.

Kohima DPDB

The Kohima DPDB deliberated on some pressing matters related to the ongoing pandemic novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and the steps undertaken to prevent the spread of the virus in the state capital during its monthly meeting held in the DPDB Conference Hall on Monday under DC Kohima and vice chairman of the board Gregory Thejawelie.

This was informed by the DIPR through a press release on March 16. The house reviewed the previous meeting minutes and progress of the projects under DPDB. The house, after a brief discussion and review of the data and statistics provided by EAC Kezocha, decided to recommend upgrading of Kezo town under Kezocha Basa to the status of an urban station, as requested by the EAC in an application, for consideration to the government of Nagaland, informed the update.

The department of PHED gave a detailed power point presentation of the various developmental projects undertaken by the department in Kohima district, enabling the members to understand issues regarding water scarcity in the state capital and steps being undertaken to improve the supply of drinking water to every household. The house also discussed how various departments can help solve water issue, nuisance of pipelines and destruction of new metalled roads. The departments of PWD (R&B) and Land Resources have been asked to give power point presentations on the next DPDB meeting in April. 

Pfutseromi village

Awareness Campaign on Corona virus (Covid-19) at Pfutseromi village on 15th March 2020.

The Pfutseromi Village Council organised an Awareness Campaign on the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in the Village Community Hall on March 15, where resource person Dr. Tikeya Kez, medical officer of C.H.C. Pfutsero, enlightened the gathering about the virus- how it spreads, symptoms and how to prevent it.

According to an update, Dr. Kez told the gathering that “the mantra to keep oneself away from the Covid-19 is to wash hands with soap and water as often as possible apart from maintaining healthy diet, proper sleep, staying hydrated and avoiding handshakes”.

‘With people over the age of 50, smokers, and those suffering from diabetes,  hypertension, HIV, TB, etc. being more prone to such viruses, he suggested the people stay fit with exercise and diet containing rich source of vitamin C,’ the press release read. He concludes that ‘it is ours to decide if Covid-19 should win over us or we end it by following the basic hygiene- wash hands with soap and water’.

Doubts and queries of the people about the virus were clarified at the programme. Maj. Chakraveer Singh, Post Commander 14th AR, Pfutsero delivered a short speech on the basic awareness for the Covid-19.

DC Longleng issues public notice

The deputy commissioner of Longleng, M Shayung Phom, has issued a public notice to its citizens, directing them to adhere to the following advisories:

*  To maintain personal hygiene and use of mask and hand sanitiser.

*   Shopkeepers and salesman to compulsorily wear mask and keep hand sanitiser for their personal and public use.

* Refrain from travelling to places/countries with cases of Covid-19.

*  NGOs, educational institutions and government departments to refrain from organising mass gatherings and programmes unless unavoidable till the situation is contained.

*  Pharmacies selling masks and hand sanitiser at higher rate will be checked.

*  Any outsiders and unknown persons coming to the locality may be reported to the District Task Force (DTF).

*  People can call the helpline numbers of the DTF — 93830843623, 700589089, 9426006606, 9862689284 — for coronavirus-related emergencies.

Kiphire DTF identifies quarantine facilities

The Kiphire District Task Force (DTF) for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) held a meeting at in the deputy commissioner office chamber, Kiphire under the chairmanship of DC Kiphire Sarita Yadav on March 14, wherein matters related hygiene of the general public and preparedness of the medical department were discussed.

According to an update by DIPR, the following directives and advisories were taken up in Kiphire district during the meeting:

* All medical officers and staff have been directed to be in their posting place and leave will be allowed only through the office of the deputy commissioner Kiphire.

* District Hospital Kiphire, Community Health Centre Pungro, DUDA rest house Kiphire and Dormitory hall Seyochung have been identified to be used as quarantine facility.

* The Medical department will conduct sensitisation and awareness on Covid-19 prevention at the earliest in the border villages of Hakumuti, Mimi, Khonjiri, Khong, Vongti and Khongka Fakim through area medical officers and submit report on the same.

* The bazaar union Kiphire has been directed to submit report of the availability of masks and hand sanitisers in the market to the district administration and any hoarding and sale above the market price of such items will invite serious penalty.

*  Medical department were also informed to coordinate with the local churches, DEO and principal Zisaji Presidency College Kiphire to create Awareness among the students and teachers at the earliest and to submit the report.

* The NST department, ‘Sumo owners union’ and private passenger carriers have been sirected to report if any person, including passengers arriving by chopper, from other states travel to Kiphire using their services. They have to report to the police or district administration “on the same day itself” and the police department will monitor all such reports or failure to report.

* The PHE department is directed to ensure providing sufficient water to all schools, colleges, government offices and all public homes to ensure proper practice of sanitary habits like frequent washing of hand.

*  All public offices, schools, colleges and private institution dealing with large numbers of people are directed to provide soap, water, and hand sanitiser for use by their students, staff and visitors.

*  Public is advised to refrain from any gatherings in large numbers and also to avoid unnecessary travel outside the district as far as possible as a preventing measure.

*  As the international border with Myanmar along Kiphire district has been sealed as a precautionary measure, the Dy. Commandant Village Guards Kiphire is directed to increase vigilance along the international border areas and report any illegal crossings immediately.

*  All shopkeepers have been advised to use masks and hand sanitisers while dealing with customers.

Mask, hand sanitiser rate fixation in Dimapur

 As follow-up of the previous meeting with the District Task Force on Covid-19, the deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi, along with ADC Dimapur V Lovitoly Sema convened a meeting on march 16 with the District Health Authority represented by Dy. CMO Dr. Antoly Suu and asst. drug controller Dimapur C Thungchanbeni; and Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA) represented by its president Ato Yeptho along with others from the association to discuss ‘matters related to  rate fixation and availability of surgical face mask and hand sanitiser in the district’.

The members resolved the following points during the meeting:

* Surgical masks and hand sanitisers are to be sold at MRP rates.

* To direct wholesallers and retailers to put up boards displaying rates of masks.

The Dimapur DC also requested the NMDA to keep sufficient stock of hand sanitiser and surgical face mask, stating that these items have been declared by the government of India as essential. He also warned that actions will be taken against those who do not adhere to the official fixed rate as per the provisions of the law which includes a fine and imprisonment up to seven years.

Angami Youth Organisation

The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has asked the state government to be prepared with all necessary measures to fight the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). 

 “AYO is deeply worried as many people from our State are travelling daily to different parts of the country, while a good number of tourists are also coming to our state on a daily basis, including those from the highly affected countries/cities. It may be mentioned that many of our children/students are also studying in cities which are already being affected and are under surveillance,” a statement from the organisation read.

It stated that it would be foolish not to take precautionary measures though no Covid-19 cases have been reported in the state. “Our society lacks the basic necessities in combating the dreadful disease, and therefore, the threat of our citizens coming in contact with the infected people lies as a major concern. There is a fear psychosis among the Naga people once the pandemic reaches us, more so because of our societal nature,” it read.

AYO said that testing facilities should be made available in all the district centres, and “to set up quarantine centres for our own people returning home”. While reposing faith in the government, it said: “At a time like this, it is our earnest desire that the government of the day will stand up positively to protect our citizens from this pandemic.”

The organisation also lauded the state government for suspending classes for educational institutions from March 17 to April 12 as well as putting a blanket ban on entry of tourists.

Dimapur Sumi Students’ Union

The Dimapur Sumi Students’ Union (DSSU) has claimed that INR 10 face mask is sold at INR 30; INR 20 ones at INR 50; and hand sanitisers sold at higher price than the actual prices by tampering the price tag after the Dimapur DC warning the wholesalers, shopkeepers and pharmacies not to sell such items above the MRP.

Stating that the people have been cheated indirectly, the student body has warned that it won’t tolerate such malpractices and would report such incidences to the responsible authorities. It also informed the public to take precautionary measures and stay vigilant as well as file complaint with the concerned authorities if shopkeepers sell items like face mask and hand sanitiser at a higher price.

Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries

In view of the panic buying in Mokokchung due to the novel coronavirus outbreak in various parts of the world, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCI) has informed the public that there is enough stock of essential commodities in the market, including fuel and medicines.

Dispelling rumours, it stated that “commercial vehicles ferrying essential commodities to Mokokchung are doing business as usual”. It also warned the traders not to sell any item, particularly masks and hand sanitisers, at a higher price and that defaulters would be penalised.

“Further, in compliance with the government’s directive, members are hereby informed that all preplanned engagements of MCCI shall remain deferred until further notice,” it added.

Restrictions

Nagaland Zoological Park to remain closed

Owing to the number of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases increasing in India, the director of the Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar, Prabhat Kumar, has issued a notice informing that the park will remain closed till further intimation in the interest of the public. The decision was taken to control the spread of the virus; in line with the health advisory issued by the Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi and as per the discussion with the state’s chief wildlife warden, said a press release.

Weekly bazaars banned in Mon

The deputy commissioner of Mon, Thavaseelan K, has issued an order, banning all weekly bazaars at various locations in the district with immediate effect and that it would remain in force till further orders in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The DC has also advised “reduction of all mass gatherings” and events with more than hundred people, except for Church gathering or family rituals such as marriages, will be allowed without prior approval of the DTF for Covid-19.