Situation ‘very grim’, admits Prestone

Shillong, Apr 21: With the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state, the Meghalaya government today imposed further restrictions in the hopes of breaking the chain of transmission.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting to review the situation, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the detection of more cases and three more fatalities makes the situation look “very grim and dangerous”.
Returnees to the state have made up a large chunk of the new infections and Tynsong requested all those who are planning to come back to Meghalaya to put off their return for the time being. With Shillong the epicenter of the pandemic in the state, he also urged those from other parts of Meghalaya to avoid travelling to the state capital unless absolutely essential.
At the review meeting it was decided that RT-PCR tests will be made mandatory for returnees coming in from any part of the country and the Rapid Antigen Tests at the entry points will be done away with. Earlier, people coming from outside the North East could enter without testing provided they had done an RT-PCR test within 48 hours before entering Meghalaya. “We will not accept any RT-PCR certificates issued by other state governments. RT-PCR is a must for each and every entrant,” the Deputy Chief Minister explained. The only exception is for those who produce a certificate showing that they have receive both doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, due to the high number of cases in Greater Shillong, tourist spots in East Khasi Hills will be closed immediately until April 30.
Colleges in Shillong will also close until May 3, except those that are being used as examination centres.
The review meeting also decided to close down gyms, parlours, saloons, cinema halls, swimming pools and bars from April 23 to April 30.
Non-essential shops will have to remain shut from April 26 to May 3 in Greater Shillong.
Tynsong also informed that attendance of employees in government offices has been slashed to 33 per cent.
The Deputy CM appealed to Meghalayans to pay heed to health advisories as the second wave of the coronavirus is highly infectious and warned that if the situation goes out of control, the government will have to impose a total lockdown.