Meghalaya: Health Department urges public to follow COVID protocols to curb virus spread

By Daiaphira Kharsati | SHILLONG:

With eleven states in India categorised as states of grave concern, the Commissioner and Secretary of the Health Department Sampath Kumar said that the state is cautiously monitoring the entry of returnees from the 11 states and others while urging the general population to strictly adhere to COVID protocols.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Kumar said that the state government has stepped up its entry protocol as COVID cases have emerged from the returnees.

“The department has asked for RT-PCR negative reports for those returning from other states especially from the 11 states which have reported to have high cases. A notification will be issued soon regarding extension for other states,” he said.

As for the increased number of cases in the country, he said that it is a matter of concern and impressed upon the public to be cautious and maintain strict adherence to COVID protocols and to go for tests in case there is any symptom.

Kumar maintained that the community should work collectively to stop the spread of the virus.

“Everyone has to take responsibility or it might cause problems for others. We have issued behavior change management protocol last year and we reiterate that one and will ask districts to activate the behaviour change management committee and the community COVID management committee involving the headmen,” he added.

Kumar also emphasised on the increased vaccination for the susceptible category of citizens who are above 45 years, adding that there will be a lot of focus in Shillong and Tura.

“Our team is doing excellent work in vaccination. We have set a deadline for the next one month to cover all people that are needed to be covered under vaccination,” Kumar said.

With the election campaign for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in full swing, Kumar added that the district administration is aware of the matter for which permission was given to organisers and they would have to follow protocols during the election campaign.