Kohima: As the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for travellers and tourists entering Nagaland comes to force on Thursday, here’s all that you need to know.
As per the state government order, all the travellers/tourists entering the State of Nagaland is mandated to undergo COVID-19 Screening Test at various Points of Entry (PoE) in Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha, Mon, Phek, and Mokokchung.
The PoE include Dimapur Airport, Dimapur Railway Station, New Field Check Gate and the Dillai Gate in Dimapur, Khuzama in Kohima, Tsutapela and Watiyongpang in Mokokchung, Naginimora and Tizit in Mon, Bhandari in Wokha, Lanye Junction and Akash Bridge in Phek.
Who are exempted from COVID-19 testing at the Points of Entry?
1. Asymptomatic, and those above 18 years of age, and fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are exempted from COVID-19 testing. However, the person shall produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination in soft or hard copy or SMS from AX-NHPSMS at the Point of Entry.
2. Asymptomatic, and those above 18 years of age who are unvaccinated or has taken the first dose, and those between 12 years and 18 years of age, with a COVID-19 negative test report done through RT-PCR/Truenat/CBNAAT, with the swab given for testing not earlier than 3 (three) days from the day of travel.
3. Children below 12 years of age, accompanying their parents/guardians/adult caregivers on entry into the State will not be required to be tested or quarantined provided they are asymptomatic.
4. Asymptomatic, and transiting to another state (Assam or Manipur), without any stopover anywhere in Nagaland. Such travelers should produce the ticket for the onward journey or proof of self- arranged vehicle, proof of address in the other state, while observing COVID- 19 appropriate behaviour and norms at all times.
Who will be tested at Points of Entry
1. Any traveller/tourist entering Nagaland, who is symptomatic, even if satisfying the conditions of vaccination/testing will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 on payment as per the government-approved rates at the Point of Entry.
2. Any traveller/tourist entering Nagaland who is asymptomatic, unvaccinated or has taken only the first dose, and does not produce a COVID-19 negative test report will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 on payment as per the government-approved rates at the Point of Entry.
3. After collection of the sample for the test for the traveller/tourist, the individual awaiting test result will be allowed to leave, subject to the condition that he/she shall remain in home/paid quarantine till the test result is declared, which will be conveyed to the person concerned through SMS/Email/Phone call. An undertaking as in Annexure-I will also have to be submitted by the person concerned before he/she leaves the Point of Entry.
4. If the test result is positive, the person concerned will have to undergo isolation at home or at a paid facility till recovery, or will be admitted at a Government Health Institution/Private Hospital depending upon his/her medical condition.
5. The person(s), if any, accompanying any inbound traveller/tourist who has tested positive shall also be required to undergo quarantine at home or at a paid facility for the number of days as decided by the examining doctors.
6. If the test result is negative, the person concerned will come out of quarantine and may proceed further with his/her normal routine while following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour at all times and further adhering to all the applicable SOPs for the various activities.
7. The District Task Force concerned should put in place a mechanism for facilitating the testing at the Points of Entry, isolation at paid facility, or admission at health institution, as advised by the examining doctors. Home isolation/quarantine instead of isolation/quarantine at a paid facility may be permitted if there are provisions for separate room and toilet.
Direction for Dignitaries and Senior Government Officials/Military/Para Military personnel
In case of dignitaries and senior government officials entering the state, the Home Department will provide necessary facilitation and make arrangements for testing/isolation/quarantining, as the case maybe.
In case of officers/ staff / personnel of Military/Para Military entering the state, the respective Military/Para Military formations/units will make arrangements at the Point of Entry for screening, and testing or admission in a health facility or isolation/quarantine, as applicable, and required, for their personnel, in line with the provisions as laid down above for any traveller entering the state. The Military/Para Military formation/unit, wherever required, may contact the respective DTF for any assistance.
Penalties for violators
The Village Councils/Urban Local Bodies under the supervision of DTF in their local jurisdictions shall monitor any breach of Isolation/Quarantine norms or COVID-19 appropriate behaviours, by the persons concerned who are undergoing home isolation/quarantining as per the provisions, and immediately bring to the notice of the Sub-Divisional Task Force or the DTF for taking suitable action.
The SOP is uniformly implemented throughout the State without any deviation and cannot be modified by District Task Force, Urban Local Bodies, Village Authorities or Community-based Organizations.
The government warned that any person violating the instructions in the SOP will be liable to be prosecuted against as per the relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act 2005, besides action under section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.
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