Issues series of notifications, advisories after high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio
Our
Correspondent
Kohima, March 16 (EMN): In a flurry of
notifications on Monday, the government of Nagaland announced, among others,
the imposition of blanket ban on tourists and closure of all educational
institutions, as the state went into combat mode in the wake of the novel
coronavirus pandemic.
The series of notifications, advisories, and restrictions followed a high-level meeting Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had conducted with his team of ministers and top officials in Kohima on Monday.
“This is not the first meeting; we have been having a series of meetings. In fact, at my level, we are having review almost every day on the actions taken and the kinds of action that we need to take,” Chief Secretary Temjen Toy informed journalists after the meeting.
According to him, the government is concentrating on two aspects: prevention and readiness. Prevention is being done through Information Education and Communication (IEC) by reaching out to the public with "what to do and what not to do" advisories.
He added that the government has decided to scale up the same by involving more departments, especially Rural Development, to spread awareness on prevention and other basic actions to be taken at the grassroots.
Toy also stated that prevention is more important in the individual-level and said, “No amount of preventive measures taken by the government can help more than your personal efforts in hygiene and the precautions you have taken.”
He went on to maintain that the course of action for precautions could be readiness. “We have decided to close down educational institutions, government as well as private; that include schools, colleges and universities with effect from March 17 till April 12.”
“In the mean time, we have asked the School Education department: how to make up for the loss of class? Because we don’t want students to miss their lessons,” he added.
The chief secretary informed that the government has decided to enforce total ban on tourists, and issue an advisory to avoid non-essential travels.
He further informed that the government has decided to go for thermal scanning on all entry points and railway stations.
He also stated that during the meeting, a Special Action Group was constituted to continuously monitor and take actions. It will be headed by Principal Secretary of Home, Abhijit Sinha, and comprise eight other members representing Police, School Education, Health and Family Welfare, Information and Public Relations, Urban Development, Rural Development and Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority.
Speaking about the preparedness of the state, the chief secretary stated that the government has already ordered respirators and other equipments, some of which have already arrived and some en route.
He stated that the government has also directed the Health department to order some more ventilators along with the required surgical masks as well as N95 masks and Personal Preventive Equipment (PPE).
“We are aware of the shortage of masks and hand sanitisers and we have roped in the Supply department and we are going for bulk procurement of items. It will be available not only with the government but with the retailers too,” he said.
“We are doing the best to our ability and up to a certain level we are well prepared, given the circumstances. We are keeping in touch with the global trends, global actions, national levels and the neighbouring states on what type of actions they’re taking,” said Toy.
Closure of schools: The government issued a notification ordering all educational institutions to be closed from March 17 till April 12, “as a precautionary step to prevent and control the outbreak of coronavirus”.
Further, it has deferred non-essential gatherings such as seminars, workshops, conference etc., during this period of closure.
“However, ongoing Board/Council/University examinations will continue as per schedule,” it added.
Advisory for gatherings and students studying outside: A separate advisory was issued by the government urging the public to refrain from holding any social, cultural, sports, political, religious, academics and family functions/programmes that may see gathering of a large number of people.
“All persons, including students studying outside Nagaland, who have entered the state on or after March 1, 2020 from outside, are advised to contact the helpline numbers-7005415243/ 9856071745/7005539653 or send email to nlssu.idsp@nic.in of the Health and Family Welfare department, government of Nagaland for guidance and for getting himself/herself screened.”
No biometric attendance: The government issued an order suspending the “marking of biometric attendance based on Aadhar Enambled Biometric Attendance System (AeBAS)” in all government offices and the Nagaland Civil Secretariat. “All AHODs/ HODs shall take immediate steps to ensure that the employees mark their attendance in the attendance registers as being done earlier during the biometric attendance system remains suspended.”
Cinema closure: The Home department directed all deputy commissioners to ensure closure of all cinema halls “as precautionary step to prevent and control the outbreak of coronavirus in the state and in public interest.”
Issue of ILP suspended and tourist entry restricted: Another government notification stated that, “issue of new/fresh Inner Line Permit for tourists (domestic/ foreigners) and all other categories shall remain suspended with immediate until further orders”.
Further it had notified: “The entry of any foreign or domestic tourist shall remain barred in the state of Nagaland from March 18, 2020 onwards until further orders.”
Book rumourmongers: The chief secretary also issued a statement on Monday evening observing that some unscrupulous persons were spreading rumours and creating panic through the use of social media regarding infections (COVID-19) confirmed in the state.
“All steps be taken to ensure that such persons are immediately booked and action taken as per appropriate sections of law. Necessary clearances be taken for identification of such elements,” he ordered.