District task forces across Nagaland gear up to tackle coronavirus

Dimapur, March 13 (EMN): Amid novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak across the world and the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring it as “pandemic”, the district task forces in Nagaland have taken up various precautionary measures and creating community awareness to prevent the spread of the virus into the state.

The government of Nagaland had earlier directed all the districts to form District Task Force (DTF) to be headed by the respective deputy commissioners to tackle the spread of coronavirus. It may also be mentioned that the health authorities of Kohima and the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) have announced restriction of domestic and international tourists into the districts as a preventive measure against the virus.

Peren DTF and DPDB meetings

The Peren District Task Force (DTF) held a meeting on novel coronavirus on March 13 at DC Peren Office Chamber under the chairmanship of Peren DC and DTF chairman Sentiwapang Aier.

An update from DIPR informed that district surveillance officer Dr. Kevi Meyase gave a brief introductory note on Covid-19 besides highlighting on the present status of the virus in Nagaland. He also apprised the board members of the early signs and symptoms of Covid-19 as well as preventive measures.

The members also discussed on the need to create community awareness in all the sub-divisions of Peren district during the meeting. Further, the DC assured to issue directives in the form of advisory for the district at the earliest.

In another update, it was informed that district surveillance officer Dr. Kevi Meyase gave a presentation on coronavirus at the Peren District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting held under the chairmanship of advisor for Water Resource and DPDB chairman Namri Nchang at the deputy commissioner’s Conference Hall in Peren on March 13.

During the meeting, the board chairman directed the divisional forest officer, Peren to look into illegal hunting or killing of wild animals, fishing and deforestation carried out in the district.

The house resolved to forward the request for the registration of “D Haralu charitable trust.inc. to the higher ups for necessary action”, the update stated. It also discussed on various issues like “review of nomenclature for construction of Mini Secretariat at Tening Hq., views and suggestions on the implementation of iconic projects under LADP 2020, Mini Hornbill Festival Celebration and Posting of Headmaster/Asst. HM at GHS, Nsong”.

CHILDLINE Peren Centre Coordinator Ibamsile Doson also gave a short presentation on CHILDLINE and CAB Peren and the Tourism department was directed to prepare a powerpoint presentation on its departmental activities in the next DPDB meeting.

DC Dimapur issues directive

The deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi, has issued a directive asking the people to “compulsorily” use mask and hand sanitiser in all public places; salespersons, shopkeeper and others who are in contact with high number of people to wear masks; and all establishments to keep hand sanitiser available for their use as well as for the public.

The DC also informed that people can contact EAC Bendang at 8974796425; Rate Controller Inspector, DMC, Inaka at 9862929908; and DC office at 03862-248530 if they find instances of hoarding or selling of face masks and hand sanitiser at higher price.

Awareness programme at Changtongya

Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Community Health Centre (CHC) Changtongya organised an awareness programme on novel coronavirus at Changtongya Town Hall on March 12.

According to a press release by DIPR, Dr. Jungshi, SMO CHC Changtongya, told the gathering to avoid closed physical contact with others to protect and prevent from Covid-19 infection that could occur by touching eyes, mouth and nose. He also suggesting using gestures like a nod or a bow to greet, saying that the virus could be spread through handshake.

‘We should be well prepared for prevention and to tackle in case of any outbreak of Covid-19 under Changtongya sub-division,’ he added.

Asangla Mar, a nurse at CHC, Changtongya, highlighted the novel coronavirus symptoms like cough, headache, fever and sneezing besides preventive measures to be taken to avoid the spread of the disease.

Mokokchung DTF to scrutinise travellers

The Mokokchung District Task Force for novel coronavirus convened a meeting at ADC Planning conference hall on March 12 to formulate an action plan on preventive measures against the threat of the virus in the district.

Chairing the meeting, ADC Mokokchung W Manpai Phom in his opening remark informed that no cases of coronavirus infection has been reported from any part of the state so far but ‘we need to put in place certain preventive measures in order to minimise the  transmission risk of the infection into our district’, according an update from DIPR.

After a thorough discussion and deliberation on the feasible preventive measures that could be taken up in the district, the house decided to take the following measures:

- Entry point surveillance, wherein travellers coming from other part of the country will be scrutinised about their travel history at entry point gates to the district.

- To put a total ban on weekly bazaars (market fair) in the district.

- To carry out poster campaign in all the public places along with special emphasis on spreading the awareness during Church programmes to create mass awareness.

- To impart basics preventive measures to teachers presently undergoing NISHTHA training in Mokokchung so that they can sensitised students in their respective schools.

- To make it mandatory for all the shopkeepers and traders to wear face mask as preventive measure.

The task force has also decided to approach the state government to make thermal sensory equipment “more convenient while scrutinising travellers at entry point”, informed the update. A sub-committee has also been set up to identify suitable location with basic infrastructural amenities to be used as a quarantine centre in eventuality of infection cases in the district.

Mokokchung DC issues public notice

The deputy commissioner of Mokokchung has informed that the district surveillance team for coronavirus will monitor passengers in public transport with immediate effect as a precautionary measure against the virus in the interest of the public.

According to the press release, passengers travelling in buses from Guwahati to the district will be monitored by the police personnel on a daily basis by collecting details of their travel history at the police check gates (Tsutapela and Watiyongpang). The DC has also restricted movement of all traders from outside the state for the purpose of weekly bazaar at various locations in the district with immediate effect and will remain in force till further order. However, weekly bazaar for traders from within the district will remain open.

In another notification, the DC has urged the people to maintain personal cleanliness and hygiene especially in public places; advised sales persons and shop keepers to “compulsorily” use mask and hand sanitisers as a precautionary measure; refrain or postpone travelling to all coronavirus-affected places; departments and educational institutions to avoid non-essential travels as well as excursions or educational tours outside the state till the situation is contained; public to avoid attending mass gatherings; and organisations not to organise big functions and gatherings unless unavoidable.

Public can contact district health line numbers 9436006387 / 8837420932 for any assistance or queries on coronavirus.

Tuensang DC issues advisory

With coronavirus spreading across the world at an alarming rate, the deputy commissioner of Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant, has issued the following directives and advisories in the interest of public health and safety:

- The public has been advised to use mask and hand sanitiser in public places such as churches, offices and educational institutions.

-  All salespersons/shopkeepers must keep hand sanitiser for their use as well as for the public.

-  Sellers/shopkeepers should not indulge in unethical practices like hoarding or charging exorbitant price for hand sanitisers and masks; such activities should be reported to EAC Sadar at 8787851115 and Tuensang police station at 9612128948.

- Public advised to avoid mass gatherings and organisations not to organise big events.