By Imna Longchar
Dimapur (Nagaland), June 9: The High Powered Committee (HPC) after a meet on Wednesday to review the current total lockdown in the State which was to end on June 11 has further decided to extend the lockdown from June 12 to 18.
According to a press communiqué issued by the State Chief Secretary, J. Alam, though the situation in the State has been reviewed and observed that there is a declining trend in the number of daily COVID- 19 positive cases while the spread of COVID-19 cases in rural and peri-urban areas are being continuously monitored, the number of active positive cases in the State is still a matter of concern.
He stated that after taking into considerations the views of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Nagaland, and the various District Task Forces (DTFs), the State Government was satisfied that the lockdown measures be continued for some more time.
Therefore, the Chief Secretary informed that in partial modification of the lockdown measures issued and in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 22 (2) (b) and Section 22 (2) (h) of the Disaster Management Act 2005, and as the Chairperson of the State Executive Committee, directs that the existing lockdown measures shall remain in force in the State with some additional relaxations/directives starting June 12 till June 18.
He said that the measures and directives included the practice of “No Mask-No Movement” and “No Mask-No Entry” would be strictly enforced by the respective District Task Forces (DTFs) and law enforcing agencies, permitted shops and business establishments would be allowed to open between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m,
however, the DTFs may decide the timing as per the local conditions.
He informed that shops selling stationeries, mobile phones and computer accessories, garages for automobile repairing and shops selling vehicle spare parts would be allowed to open on alternate days as determined by the respective DTFs.
Stating that regular religious services and gatherings would be suspended, however, Alam said prayer meetings and fellowships would be allowed in religious places with not more than 20 persons with strict adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behavior while administrative offices of schools/colleges with a core group of officers/staff shall be permitted to attend to urgent and essential matters and private business offices with a core group of officers/staff may be permitted to attend to urgent and essential matter with the permission of the respective DTFs.
He further went on to add that new construction works may be permitted after examination by the respective DTFs and fresh labourers shall be allowed as per provisions under the Revised SOP for returnees and travelers that was issued on April, 2021.
Adding that Common Service Centres (CSCs) across the State would be permitted to open as per the requirement of the respective DTFs for IT support during COVID-19 vaccination, the Chief Secretary also said that Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) including taxi, auto rickshaws etc shall be allowed to ply on ‘Odd-Even’ basis for which the drivers of the same shall need to get negative COVID-19 test report for resumption of services.
He further added that the DTFs may, however, consider imposing restrictions depending on the prevailing situations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and also informed that bus service, two-wheeler taxi service and pillion riding shall remain suspended.
