Shillong, Aug 12: Chief Secretary MS Rao on Thursday chaired a meeting with leaders of different religious organizations in hopes to drive up the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the state.

Religious institutions/ places of worship are scheduled to be opened for public from August 16.

Rao told reporters that the state government has sought the support of all faith based institutions in the vaccination effort. He said the meeting was also to discuss and finalise the SOPs for reopening of religious places besides wedding ceremonies.

Also, although vaccination will not be made mandatory but an advisory will be issued that it will be better that only vaccinated people should attend places of worship.

He informed that the government’s target is to reach out to each and every eligible citizen who are above the age of 18 years and ensure 100 percent coverage.

According to the chief secretary, 90 percent of the religious institutions are in favour of vaccination.

“It (reopening of religious places) will also help the government in the sense that they can reach out to their respective congregation because today these places are closed and they also find it difficult as online medium has its limitations – so we expect with this opening it will also help the vaccination effort of the government,” Rao stated.