Coronavirus
Representative image.

The Nagaland government on Tuesday constituted a nine-member special action group to continuously monitor any situation arising out of novel coronavirus.

The group, headed by principal secretary (home) Abhijit Sinha, has been tasked to ensure that actions are taken in order to keep the state in readiness for any eventuality apart from taking prompt measures for prevention and control of the spread of the virus.

Various districts in the state are also taking preventive measures against the spread of the Covid-19.

Dimapur deputy commissioner Anoop Khinchi on Tuesday suspended all inner line permit (ILP) counters in the district till further order.

In an order, he said no fresh ILPs for tourists (domestic/foreign) and all other categories will remain suspended with immediate effect. Only ILP renewal cases will be done in his office, he added.

Khinchi also said as per the state home department’s order, entry of any foreign and domestic tourists will be barred in the state from Wednesday onwards until further order.

The district administration also directed for closure of all cinema halls in the district.

Kinchi on Wednesday convened a meeting with the Dimapur District Task Force members in his office conference halls to deliberate on more steps to be taken as preventive measures against the virus.

He directed the medical department to activate the control room by Wednesday. He stressed the need for setting up training and awareness cell to continuously work and create awareness among the people about the precautionary steps to be taken.

The meeting also decided to set up help line desk and screenings at Dimapur railway station and different check gates under the district.

Khinchi urged the gaon burhas (village chiefs) and NGOs to spread information in their respective colonies through announcements, distribution of pamphlets or by talking to people telling them not to panic but to take the necessary preventive measures.

He emphasised on proper disposal of medical wastes and also to make people aware on how used masks need to be disposed.

Dimapur commissioner of police Tetseo told the meeting that the police cyber cell was taking care of any false information being spread in the social media forums about Covid-19. He said stern action will be taken against anyone for spreading false information.

Dimapur airport director M. Zhimomi said 100 percent thermal scanning of all the passengers are being done in the airport. He added that hand sanitisers are provided to all and extra cleaning is done to ensure that the airport area is properly sanitised.

Members of Dimapur district task force besides army, police and CISF attended the meeting.