Vaccination won’t be mandatory but advisory, says Chief Secretary ahead of re-opening religious places
Meanwhile, the religious leaders said that though they are waiting for the new SOPs, the protocols stated in the present SOPs too will be sincerely followed.
MEGHALAYA:
Meghalaya Chief Secretary, MS Rao, on Thursday, convened a meeting to finalise the SOP for the opening of religious places in the state. He also sought the support and cooperation of all the faith-based institutions in the government’s vaccination drive.
Rao argued that the re-opening of religious places will benefit the government vaccination drive. “To widen the vaccination drive’s reach, it is better to open places of worship, but in a limited way. About 90 percent of people are in favour of vaccination and in places of worship, they will explain its benefits to their respective congregations,” Rao said.
When asked whether vaccination will be mandatory for devotees to take part in religious ceremonies, Rao said, “It won’t be mandatory. But yes, it will be an advisory stating that it is better if only vaccinated people attend religious gatherings,” he said.
Meanwhile, the religious leaders said that though they are waiting for the new SOPs, the protocols stated in the present SOPs too will be sincerely followed.
(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)
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