The Nagaland government has re-imposed COVID-19 restrictions with immediate effect following a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases being noticed in several states of the country.
“As there is a strong possibility of surge in COVID-19 cases in the state of Nagaland also, which may put public health in serious danger, and also strain the health infrastructure of the state, urgent measures are required for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the state,” said an official statement on January 8.
“Therefore, in public interest, and in partial modification of all the earlier orders issued on lockdown measures and relaxations concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the relevant SOPs issued for the various activities, Nagaland chief secretary, J Alam, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 22 (2) (b) and Section 22 (2) (h) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in the capacity of chairperson of the state executive committee, with a view to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 and prevent the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state, has ordered various restrictions for strict implementation throughout the state of Nagaland with immediate effect up till January 31,” the statement added.
According to the statement, social, political, religious, entertainment, academic, cultural gatherings, and all other kind of public gatherings shall be restricted and are allowed up to 50 per cent capacity, or up to a maximum of 200 persons, whichever is lower, and subject to all the participants being asymptomatic, and being fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19.
In case there is an unavoidable need to have bigger gatherings, they may be permitted only after getting express permission of the respective District Task Force (DTF), it further said.
Night curfew stands imposed from 9 pm to 5 am with effect from January 9 in the state. However, goods vehicles, vehicles transiting the state without any stopovers, movement due to medical and other emergencies, agricultural purposes, and any other movement permitted by the respective DTF will be exempted from the purview of night curfew.
Malls, shopping complexes, restaurants, gymnasiums, cinema halls/theatres, parks, places of entertainment, recreation areas, etc. shall be permitted to open/operate up to 50% capacity, and all the visitors/staff and all other concerned, should be asymptomatic, and fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19.
Any person entering the state, above 12 years of age, including those fully vaccinated, shall be required to carry a negative COVID-19 test report done through RT-PCR/ True Nat/CBNAAT with the swab given for testing not earlier than 3 days of the date of arrival in the state.
If the incoming traveller is not carrying a negative COVID-19 test report, or has a negative report, but is symptomatic, or is below 12 years of age and symptomatic, then he/she will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 at government-approved rates at the point of entry in the state, and the person concerned will be in home/paid quarantine till the declaration of the test result.
The provisions will come into effect from January 10 and the SOP for entry of persons in the state issued vide this office notification of even number dated 8th November 2021 stands modified to this extent.
The physical /offline classes for students studying up to Class VIII stand suspended / closed till January 31.
Any student of Class IX and above, and who has completed 15 years of age, shall be allowed to take admission, or attend regular/offline classes, only if he/she has taken at least one dose of vaccine against COVID-19.
Any person/group of persons acting in violation of the above directions, as well as all the other existing orders/SOPs/guidelines, for preventing the spread of COVID-19, shall be liable to be prosecuted against under the relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides action under Section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.
