Shillong, Dec 28: In view of the new variant of the virus found in the United Kingdom. The 12 returnees from the United Kingdom continue to be under isolation despite being tested Negative in the State. This was informed by Commissioner and Secretary Health and Family Welfare of Meghalaya, Sampath Kumar.

Kumar said, “the UK returnees, though tested negative, are under isolation”.

Since the new virus strain has been discovered in the United Kingdom, fear has taken over as the new virus variant is found to be more transmissible. It may be mentioned that the entire nation is on alert after the detection of a new strain of the virus in the UK.

It was informed that the 12 returnees after they arrive in the State did not show any symptoms. However, the surveillance teams are keeping a tab on them, Kumar added.

Earlier, amid concerns over the detection of a mutated and more infectious strain of the recent virus in the UK, the Meghalaya government has barred the entry of individuals from the European country into the state. The state government has asked all entrants to the State from or transited through the UK in the past 4 weeks to declare their travel history (of past 14 days) to the Surveillance Units in the State and at the Districts and undergo RT-PCR test.

The Health Department in a Press release said, “All those tested positive shall be isolated in an institutional isolation facility in a separate (isolation) unit coordinated by the State Health Authorities. Those who are found negative on testing with RT-PCR is to undergo 7 days of institutional quarantine followed by another 7 days of home quarantine, monitored by the IDSP/District Surveillance Officers.”