Nagaland extends lockdown till June 18

Kohima: The Nagaland Government on  Wednesday announced an extension of the ongoing Covid-related lockdown till June 18 with easing of some restrictions.

The decision was taken by the states High Powered Committee on Covid-19 at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio two days before the current lockdown was to end, state minister Neiba

Kronu said. This will be the third extension of the lockdown in the state. Earlier, a seven-day lockdown was imposed in the northeastern state from May 14 to contain the spread of coronavirus. Subsequently, it was extended till May 31 and then up to June 11.

“Views of all the District Task Force (DTF) were taken through video conferencing. It has been a consensus to continue lockdown with more relaxation,” Kronu, who is also the HPC spokesperson, said.                     



         

The HPC has recommended the COVID-19 war room to increase the duration of shopping timings for essential commodities, which is currently from 6 am to 12 noon throughout the state, he said.The HPC also decided that trains will not stop at Dimapur, the only railway station in the state.While construction activities had resumed in the state, it was decided that labourers from outside Nagaland would not be allowed if they do not furnish a negative COVID- 19 test result.          

Previously all places of worship and church services had been restricted, but the HPC meeting on Wednesday permitted a maximum of 20 members to attend prayer service in churches.The government also allowed the opening of stationery shops, he said. However, classes will continue in the online mode.