The weekly sample positivity rate of COVID-19 infections has been consistently remained below 2 percent for the past one month in Nagaland and the average number of daily new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 in the state have also remained below five (5) for the last three weeks. The number of active cases has declined deeply and is now only fifteen (15) as on March 31
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland government on Thursday, has said that after taking into account all relevant aspects concerning the Covid-19 situation in the state, decided not to extend further imposition of restrictions and measures for containment of COVID-19 under the Disaster Management Act’2005 beyond March 31.
According to a communiqué issued by Nagaland Chief Secretary, J Alam, the weekly sample positivity rate of COVID-19 infections has been consistently remained below 2 percent for the past one month in the state and the average number of daily new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 in the state have also remained below five (5) for the last three weeks and the number of active cases has declined deeply and is now only fifteen (15) as on March 31 thus easing out and improving considerably as “gauged” on every relevant parameters.
Alam said that after taking into consideration the overall improvement in the Covid-19 situation across the country, the Secretary, MHA, GoI, on March 22 vide its letter No.40-3/2020-DM-I (A) has informed that the Government of India (GoI) would not be issuing any further orders under the Disaster Management (DM) Act’ 2005, for containment of COVID-19 in the country and had advised the States also to consider appropriately discontinuing issuing of orders and guidelines under DM Act’2005.
He mentioned that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI, Secretary, through his letter No Z.26015/1/202-DM Cell, issued on March 23 this year has also in light of “sustained and significant” decline in the number of COVID-19 cases across the country has advocated for relaxations of various activities, without capacity restrictions, with continued focus on the “five-fold” strategy “Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and Adherence” to Covid appropriate behavior.
Alam also said that in view of it, and after taking into account all other relevant aspects concerning the COVID-19 situation, it is informed and decided that there would not be any further extension of the order imposing restrictions and measures for containment of COVID-19 in the State under the Disaster Management Act’ 2005, beyond March 3, and also for removing any existing capacity restriction for any activity in the state imposed through the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
He also informed that the SOPs for travelers/tourists entering Nagaland in the context of COVID-19 would also stand withdrawn from April 1.
However, the chief secretary said as a measure of “abundant caution”, all have been advised to continue adhering to the COVID-19 appropriate behaviours, which are wearing of facemasks in public places, regular washing of hands by soap and water or sanitizer, maintaining physical distances among others, and also the provisions of the SOPs and guidelines issued for the various activities by the Central and Stat government from time to time.
Further, he also advised everyone above 12 years of age to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Meanwhile, it was informed that Health and Family Welfare department, Nagaland, would continue focusing on the “five-fold strategy” and would closely monitor the situation in order to take prompt and necessary action (s) at the local level whenever any “upsurge of cases” are noticed in any part of the state.