Health officials led by Principal Director during a press conference in Kohima on November 30. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | November 30
With Nagaland all set to celebrate the 22nd edition of the 10-day Hornbill Festival at Kisama, state health officials have requested strict adherence to all COVID appropriate behaviours. “There is no cure for COVID and the focus is on prevention by adhering to COVID appropriate behaviours. It is the personal responsibility of each individual, a personal choice to adhere to the SoPs,” stated the officials.
Addressing media personnel on the eve of the festival on November 30, Principal Director for Health & Family Welfare, Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao said all safety protocols and precautionary advisories relating to COVID -19 have been issued to all concerned departments to be followed during the festival.
On enquiry, Dr Khimiao said although the Omicron variant has spread to 22 countries, there have been no reported cases of fatality till today.
Further, when asked if the festival could become a hotspot for super spreader, he maintained that should not happen given that everyone strictly adheres to the safety advisories. “Extra precautions have been taken for visitors in the state, wherein a COVID care centre has been set up in Dimapur, Kohima and Mon (the entry points) for any eventuality,” he informed.
When asked on the necessity of organising a festival in the midst of a pandemic putting everyone at risk, the health officials said the government has taken decision in all wisdom, considering the low positivity rate (1.7%) and drastic decline in hospitalisation and fatality rate in the past few months.
The health officials, however, neither agreed nor denied, when asked if the low positivity rate could be due to low number of testing. Instead, they maintained that testing for COVID-19 has, and is still a challenge, since the onset of the pandemic. “Undetected cases will be there,” the officials added.
On the status of the vaccination drive, Dr Khimiao said it has slightly improved following the door to door campaign. Stating that vaccination has scientifically been proved to lower severity of the virus and hospitalisation, Dr Nyanthung Kikon, State Nodal Officer, IDSP has stressed on the importance of being vaccinated.
“We are in the middle of the pandemic, but misinformation is happening everywhere,” he observed with lament, adding that the department is working to manage misinformation and false rumours.
Meanwhile in its safety advisory for the Hornbill Festival, the department recommended strict adherence to a ‘No mask, No entry’ policy and said that fines should be imposed as and when necessary with. “Foods and beverages should be served only at Mornings and cafes to enable compulsory masking at the main arena and other spaces,” it added.
The advisory also mentioned setting up of medical stall with COVID -19 vaccination facility to cater to anyone willing to get vaccinated wit both the 1st and 2nd doses during the entire 10 days.
Besides, symptomatic visitors shall not be allowed entry to the event and testing booth will be made available in the first aid stall.
Further, all possible measures shall be taken to avoid crowding with continued messaging on COVID-19 vaccination, use of masks and other safety measures through announcements and IEC platform, it added.
