Nagaland closes borders even for domestic tourists

The Nagaland government has ordered an indefinite ban on the entry of both domestic and foreign tourists into the state, to check the spread of the corona virus. Nagaland has become the first state in India to take such a drastic step.

The order issued by Nagaland chief secretary Temjen Roy has said such a step was taken as a “measure of abundant caution in the interest of the public”.

The issue of fresh inner line permit (ILP) for domestic and foreign tourists and all other categories will remain suspended with immediate effect till further orders. The order added that entry of all foreign and domestic tourists to the state will remain barred from March 18 till further orders.

The decision was on Monday following a high level review meeting chaired by chief minister Neiphiu Rio.

Last week, the Mizoram and Manipur governments had sealed their borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar as part their measures to control the virus. The north eastern states have been the least affected of all states in India, ever since the pandemic broke out.