14-day facility quarantine must for Nagaland returnees: Angami org

Kohima: Angami Youth Organization (AYO), the apex youth body of the Angami Nagas, expressed their concern over the state government’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for stranded persons returning to the state which said that people returning from green and orange zones, if found asymptomatic, will be quarantined for three days at the government facility and further be home quarantined for 14 days.

Through a press note issued by its president Kekhrie Pfukha and public relations secretary Kehouneio Thernuo, the AYO expressed that the government’s decision to relax guidelines for quarantine of travellers returning to the state from green and orange zones for only three days’ institutional quarantine, which will be followed by 14 days’ home quarantine, has put the general public at “risk”.

“This decision made by the government at this juncture is likely to put its populace at greater risk,” the statement read. Expressing that it is “extremely distressing”, the youth body pointed that “this decision is also not as per the guidelines of the Central government”.

It further mentioned that “point number 17.0 of the guidelines” ruled that “the quarantine people need to be discharged at the end of 14 days of incubation period provided samples are negative on resampling. Instructions should be provided to self monitor their health at their home (home quarantine) for the next 14 days … “.

“This implies that any person needs to be quarantined for 14 days in government designated quarantine facility before home quarantine and observation for the next 14 days. The AYO feels that there should be mandatory 14 days institutional quarantine and no relaxation should be made irrespective of the place of origin of travel,” the youth body added.

AYO urged the government to make all necessary efforts and be more stringent rather than relaxing the procedures. It also said that the government must ensure that the quarantine facilities in all district headquarters are functional and that the travellers destined for the districts may be able to undergo institutional quarantine in their home districts.

This will ease the physical and mental stress of the travellers and also not overwhelm the frontline workers and healthcare facilities in Dimapur and Kohima, it said. AYO further requested all village/colony/ward panchayats to be vigilant for persons who have returned from outside the state and have not undergone the necessary screening and quarantine.

It also provided the state helpline numbers for Kohima at 8575228686 and Dimapur at 6009920884. It also acknowledged the public for cooperation shown till date and requested the public to bear with the inconveniences for the safety of all.