The full text is as follows :

                                   BRIEFING ON COVID-19 ON 23rd April 2020 FOR NAGALAND

As of 3:00 PM today, a total of 607 samples have been sent for testing from the State. Results of 543 samples have been received and all are negative. 64 samples are sent today and results are awaited. Today a total of 1423 persons have been screened. A total of 106 persons are under Facility Quarantine.

With regards to the Surveillance activities in the containment zone in Dimapur in connection with the COVID-19 positive person of Dimapur detected in Guwahati, more than 5164 persons have been interviewed, covering 909 households as of 23rd April 2020. So far, a total of 382 samples sent from Dimapur District in connection with the positive case have tested negative.

I would like to inform that the State Government has decided that any working journalist who suffers fatality due to COVID-19 while performing his/her professional duties in Nagaland will be paid an ex-gratia amount of  Rs 10.00  lakhs.

I would like to also inform that some more activities have been allowed during the lockdown. The industries operating in rural areas, outside the limits of municipal areas can operate. Research establishments dealing with agriculture and horticulture activities can function. Shops of educational books for students, recharge facilities for prepaid mobile connection and food processing units such as bread factories, milk processing plants, flourmills, dal mills etc., located in urban areas have also been allowed to open. However all these exemptions have been permitted with the condition of adhering to the National COVID-19 directives and ensuring social distancing and adhering to all the necessary health safety protocols.

Friends, I would like to inform you that for the safety of our health care personnel the Government of India has amended the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 by the Epidemic Disease (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 in which any person indulging in any act of violence against healthcare personnel, which includes, doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and any community health worker, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 3 months, but which may extend to 5 years, and with fine, which shall not be less than 50 thousand rupees, but which may extend to 2 lakh rupees. Further, whoever causes grievous hurt as defined in section 320 of the IPC, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 6 months, but which may extend to 7 years and with fine, which shall not be less than 1 lakh rupees, but which may extend to 5 lakh rupees.

I conclude by seeking everyone’s cooperation and support in combating COVID-19.

                                                             "Thank You"

( DIPR)