There has been a decline in the total number of active cases, number of hospitalization cases and number of persons requiring oxygen support across the state.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Special Correspondent
Nagaland’s High Powered Committee (HPC) on COVID-19 in its meeting held on June 28 reviewed the COVID-19 situation and noted that while the seven days moving average of the positivity rate of COVID-19 in the State has gradually declined, it continued to remain above 5%, warranting the need for sufficient measures for containing the spread of COVID-19.
The HPC in a press statement stated that it also noted that there has been a decline in the total number of active cases, number of hospitalization cases and number of persons requiring oxygen support across the State.
In view of the improved situation as reflected by several parameters pertaining to COVID-19 and taking into consideration the hardships being faced by the general public, as well as disruption being caused to the various economic activities owing to continued lockdown measures for an extended period, suitable relaxations and re-opening of more activities in a phased manner needed to be considered while still continuing with existing measures of the lockdown to sustain the substantial gains that have been achieved due to the existing lockdown measures while the positivity rate continues to be high.
And also taking the views of the Health & Family Welfare Department and the Districts Task Forces, has directed for extension of the existing lockdown measures for 10 (ten) more days up July 10 with further relaxations and reopening of activities and additional guidelines as under:
1. Shops/business establishments dealing with all kinds of goods/items/articles are permitted to open from 6 A.M to 2 P.M. While the shops/business establishments dealing with essential goods and commodities such as vegetable, fish/meat vendors, milk booths, bakeries, local grocery stores, public utility services like LPG and e-Commerce services etc. may remain open on all the days; the shops dealing with all other goods may remain open on alternate days for which a rotational arrangement will be put in place by the respective District
2. Every shop besides keeping hand sanitizers for being used by the visitors, and taking measures for ensuring COVID-19 appropriate at all times, as being presently done, will also display prominently the status of vaccination of all the persons present running the shop.
3. Barbers shops and saloons etc, where close physical interaction cannot be avoided shall be allowed to open after ensuring vaccination of the persons/attendants running these shops by the respective District Task Forces.
4. All the Government offices in the State may open with 50% attendance of staff on any day, and subject to adherence to COVID-19 behavior at all times. The 50% staff not attending on any day will work from home and will be available on phone/mail for dealing with any urgent office work.
5. The private offices in the State may also function with up to 50% attendance, and subject to adherence of COVID-19 behavior.
6. The period of ban on the movement of persons/vehicles except those permitted for reasons/purposes as per the existing lockdown measures is reduced to 7 P.M to 4 A.M instead of 4 PM to 5 AM.
7. Mass public transportation and inter-district movement of people for non-essential services shall continue to remain suspended.
8. Wedding solemnization, funerals, and sports training shall be allowed subject to an attendance of not more than 50 (fifty) persons, and subject to adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behavior and to all the applicable SOPs issued from time to time.
9. Religious places/places of worship are allowed to open subject to an attendance of not more than 50 (fifty) persons, and subject to adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behavior and to all the applicable SOPs.
10. The District Task Force based on local conditions may take additional stricter measures in particular areas/wards/villages/towns/entire district if in its opinion such measures are urgently required for containing the spread of COVID-19.