Meghalaya: Govt authorities refute 'rumours' on issuance of fake negative report at Umling

NONGPOH: 

Meghalaya Principal Health Secretary Sampath Kumar on Sunday rubbished the 'rumours' on 'Fake Negative Results' being provided by the staff manning the COVID-19 Screening Check Point in Umling, Ri Bhoi. 

Terming the report, that has been doing its round on social media, as 'fake', Kumar said, "We do only testing at entry point. No negative report is accepted and everyone has to be tested again when they enter."

The Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi district RM Kurbah also termed the report as 'fake news' and said that those who are spreading the news must come forward and prove it publicly.

According to the report, the procurement of fake negative COVID-19 test reports are being provided by some officials who were manning the COVID-19 screening checkpoint at Umling. It further added that even tourist cab drivers are facilitating this process.

"This is false news which has been spread by some people who want to tarnish the prestige of the district administration and the health department who has been working round the clock to contain the spread of the disease," Kurbah said. 

“Anyone who is spreading such fake news, are welcome to rectify it and also make it publicly. If needed they can also ask for an independent enquiry so that such false news would not be entertained,” the DC added. 

Kurbah further stated that the COVID-19 screening check point has been mandated only to test people entering the state through RT-PCR test and the samples are sent to the authorities in Shillong to provide the results. 

"So the question of providing negative report by paying any amount to the staff at the checkpoint does not arise," Kurbah clarified.

(Edited by Shankar Turha)

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