Nagaland: Angami Body Demands Ban on ILP to Tourists from COVID-19 Affected Countries

Kohima, March 7, 2020:

Urging the Government to stop the issuance of Inner Line Permit (ILP) to tourists from coronavirus affected countries, the Angami Youth Organization urged the Neiphiu Rio-led regime to ensure that Nagaland is "on its best foot to prevent the spread of the global catastrophe."

"AYO appeal to the Government to take all precautionary measures including restricting issuance of permits to Foreign Tourists from COVID-19 affected countries still such time the virus is fully contained and a mandatory medical screening of air passengers in the airport is initiated to detect virus carriers", said the body in a statement.

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The Angami body also stated that modalities should also be carried out by the Government of Nagaland to detect or restrict railway, bus and taxi passengers by detailing specialized medical personnel in all transit check points before entering the state.

Advising the Government to initiate "outreach", the Angami body also called upon the Government to educate the people about the virus and also its preventive measures.

The Angamis also stated that if needed, the Government should declare a "state-of-emergency". Also, they have stated that the concerned departments including the Health & Family Welfare and Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority to be well-equipped with required machineries, infrastructure and machines to prevent the spread of the virus, adding that "requirements must be met in all exigencies."

The coronavirus that was declared as 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 31, has meanwhile spread its tentacles to over 65 countries and caused the deaths of over 3,000 people.

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