Nagaland goes for week-long lockdown to fight Covid-19

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<strong>Given the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the State, the Nagaland Government has decided to impose a week-long total lockdown from 6 p.m. on May 14 till May 21.</strong></p>
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The Government arrived at this decision following a high power committee meeting on Covid-19 which was held on May 11 at the Nagaland Chief Minister’s residential complex in Kohima.</p>
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A Government statement said, “The existing restrictions will continue till the local lockdown is in place. Government departments will continue to function with a core team formed by the head of department. Construction activities may be permitted but the contractor and firms will be responsible for ensuring adherence to all SOPs for the workers.”</p>
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The statement however, said that essential services including agricultural activities will be exempted from the purview of lockdown directives.</p>
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<strong>Key points of the lockdown</strong></p>
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All activities and movements, except essential services, will remain suspended during the lockdown.</li>
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All places of mass gatherings will remain closed and all social, religious, cultural, political functions will be barred.</li>
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Marriages will be allowed with prior permission, with a maximum of 20 guests. Gatherings at a funeral capped at 20 guests.</li>
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Movement of all private and public vehicles will be suspended except for medical emergencies.</li>
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Agricultural and allied activities and ongoing construction works will be allowed, subject to observance of Covid-19 protocols.</li>
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Petrol pumps will remain open.</li>
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Electronic/print media, telecom and internet service providers will remain functional.</li>
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Essential services, including all healthcare facilities and vehicle carrying essential medical equipment and supplies, will remain operational.</li>
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The Government also decided that during the course of the lockdown period, Health and Family Welfare Department may pursue aggressive testing, utilizing the full testing capacity of the Covid-19 laboratories.</p>