DIMAPUR, March 24 - As Nagaland intensifies preparations to combat COVID-19, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today urged the Centre to set up a COVID-19 testing laboratory with experts in Nagaland on an urgent basis.
In a release issued by its communications department, the NPCC said the situation in the State where healthcare workers are without much protective gear and equipment, is a cause of serious concern.
The NPCC appealed to all political parties to come together and secure the lives and future of the people caught in this global pandemic. It urged the People�s Democratic Alliance Government in the State to understand the plight of those, especially healthcare workers, waging the battle against COVID-19.
The NPCC said it came to know that monthly salaries of nurses employed on contract basis are still pending, which is appalling.
It suggested some action plans to substantiate the Government�s effort in containing COVID-19 and the resultant fallout that is bound to create a huge socio-economic crisis.
The NPCC suggested enforcement of a total lockdown in urban areas across the State with the exemption of only essential services. It said village and colony councils, especially in the urban areas, be directed to sensitise people and prevent unnecessary movements within respective jurisdiction.
Village councils of villages located near the porous boundary with neighbouring States must be empowered to check movement of people in the absence of State police personnel.
It said the message of �Stay Home, Stay Safe�, along with basic hygiene routine, must percolate down to the lowest level and followed by all people.
�Order people with recent travel history to affected countries to report and get tested or face punishment later on,� it said.
The NPCC said apart from healthcare workers, police and other emergency/essential service workers have to be fully protected with masks and clothing gear that meet prescribed requirements. Special monetary allowance must be granted to those working in the frontline against COVID-19. It said free rations as per scale must be issued to every deserving household through the existing delivery mechanism during the lockdown period.
The NPCC said the political leaders, especially from the ruling Government, must avoid attempting to convert battle against COVID-19 into an event management spectacle as it recently happened after the Janata Curfew on Sunday.
