Stay calm & follow preventive measures: Nagaland guv on COVID-19

Kohima: In the wake of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Nagaland governor RN Ravi on Friday appealed all citizens to “stay clam” and further follow preventive measures prescribed by the health and family welfare department. Reviewing the overall preparedness of the state government, he said that although no positive case has been reported in the state so far, arrangements are being made and improved upon regularly.

Through a message issued on Friday evening, Ravi urged the people to sincerely follow the advisories issued by the ministry and the state government from time to time. He said that the fast spread of COVID 19 across the world has created a major global crisis of unprecedented scale.

“The only way to contain and defeat COVID 19 is by preventing its spread,” he said. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for closely monitoring the situation and initiating timely preventive measures, he said that the government of India and the state governments are taking various preventive measures.

He said that the PM’s address to the nation on March 19 has immensely reassured the people and urged all citizens to respond to his appeal in full measure. He then urged the people to sincerely respond to Prime Minister’s appeal and observe the Janata Curfew from 7 am to 9 pm on March 22.

“The next few weeks are very crucial for all of us,” Ravi said, addig that the country is still at Stage-II of COVID-19 and there is need to prevent it from exploding into Stage-III. “It can be done by the resolve and restraint of our people. Each of us has to exercise social restraint which is being popularly called as social distancing,” he said.

Except for the health workers and those engaged in maintaining essential supplies as well as members of law-enforcement agencies, he said that people should stay home for the next few weeks unless it is absolutely essential to go out. For the elderly people, especially those above 60 years and children below 10 years, he urged them to stay at home and avoid mass gathering.

On the state’s preparedness, he said that the State Level Task Force, district task forces have been constituted in all districts, and that there is vigorous screening of passengers at entry points and that border screening is being done at 14 entry points. He also highlighted the 24×7 service of the state’s helpline numbers.

Adding that there is enough stock of essential commodities, he urged the people to stay calm and not to resort to panic buying or hoarding. He also appealed the religious leaders to create awareness and disseminate required preventive information and advisories to the people at the grass root level.

Lauding the health workers who are at the frontline of the battle, he appealed the people to applaud them and help them by avoiding visit to the hospitals for routine check-ups for the next few weeks and avoid panic testing.

Further appealing people to stay calm and follow the preventive measures, he concluded with the message: “Together we shall defeat the virus”.