Nagaland: Shopping malls, hotels, gyms, eateries, barbershops allowed to re-open

Guwahati: Months after entering a lockdown to arrest the spread of the novel coronavirus and it's associated disease COVID-19, the Nagaland government on Monday announced a slew of relaxations, including the lifting of restrictions on inter-state movements.

The decision to lift many of the curbs that have become the order of the day amid the rising cases of the virus was at a meeting of the high- powered committee on COVID-19 chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, said minister Neiba Kronu, who is also the government's spokesperson.

As per Kronu, the decision to ease some of the restrictions was taken considering the Centre''s ''Unlock 4'' guidelines and also for improvement of the economic condition of the state.

He added that Nagaland will give a special focus on agricultural activities for the overall improvement of the economy.

As per the new guidelines, brought into effect by the Chief Secretary of the State, Temjen Toy, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, gymnasium, and salons will be allowed to open by following all safety protocols, Kronu said.

Sports complexes and stadiums will also be allowed to open but without spectators, Kronu said. Markets would also be permitted but with certain conditions, the minister for planning and coordination said.

Intra-state movement of people will be allowed from September 1, Kronu said. A new standard operating procedure for those coming to the state from other parts of the country will be announced soon, he added.

Schools and colleges, however will remain closed till September 30, as per the Centre's guidelines. Churches and other religious places will continue to function with a 30 per cent congregation till September 21, while further relaxations on the number of attendees will be made after that.

Along with the rest of the country, Nagaland has also been under lockdown since March 25 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

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