Shillong, Jan 3: With the Omicron variant of Covid-19 spreading quickly throughout the world and also across the length and breadth of the country, Meghalaya on Monday decided to re-impose restrictions to ensure that the Covid cases remain at a minimum while also restrict the entry of Omicron variant in the State.
Although no Omicron variant has been detected in the state so far, with the whole of Northeast reporting just one case in Manipur, Meghalaya government is not taking any risks.
After chairing a review meeting of the health department, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed that a negative RT-PCR report has been made compulsory for anyone entering the state in addition to taking double-dose vaccination. The new protocol comes into effect from January 5, 2022 and the mandatory RT-PCR report is valid for 72 hours prior to reaching the border of the state. Those not in possession of a valid RT-PCR report will have to undergo the test at the entry points.
Conducted a meeting to review the Covid situation in Meghalaya in light of the number of the #Omicron cases in the country. Certain restrictions will be put in place. DCs will give notifications accordingly.
Request those eligible to kindly get vaccinated@mansukhmandviya pic.twitter.com/zwmP06BlmY
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) January 3, 2022
In addition, gatherings have been disallowed and restrictions imposed on movement of private vehicles in Shillong City and most parts of East Khasi Hills districts.
Night curfew has also been imposed from 10 PM onwards in Shillong City.
Sangma said, “The new variant of Covid-19 – which is the Omicron variant – is spreading very fast throughout the country. There are hardly 7-8 states which have not reported a case yet. And Meghalaya is one of them… North East as a whole, only one state has reported one of the cases. But the speed at which it is travelling and transmitting, is very alarming. Though most of the reports coming in from every where are showing that the hospitalization rate is far lesser compared to the Delta variant and the death rates are also far lesser compared to the Delta variant but the positivity and the overall transmissibility is very very high.”
He also expressed that it is only a matter to time before the Omicron variant is detected in Meghalaya, stating “it is inevitable”.
But all is not gloom for the state like it was during the second wave. The Chief Minister said the state is well prepared to handle the third wave as lot of infrastructure has been prepared but it is important to take precautions.
He also urged the citizens of the state to follow the protocols and be very careful.
“we know that these restrictions will cause inconvenience to you and some of you might feel why we doing this when we don’t have a single case, but we need to realize that the last phase was very difficult for us. And we do not want to be caught unaware or caught at a time when the wave is already hitting us very badly,” the CM said.
Restrictions from January 05, 2022
– Entry into Meghalaya now requires a negative RT-PCR report, tested 72 hours before arrival at the state’s borders. RT-PCR test will be conducted at the State’s check points for those not having the test report. The test is in addition to the compulsory double-dose vaccination certificate.
– Night Curfew in Shillong City, starting at 10 PM. Similar restrictions in other districts to be notified by respective Deputy Commissioners.
– Gatherings not allowed.
– Restrictions in movement of private vehicles. Odd – Even arrangement of vehicle movement to be imposed in Shillong city and most parts of East Khasi Hills. Other districts to have similar restrictions to be notified by the respective Deputy Commissioners
– There will be few more restrictions, which will be notified later.
