In order to sustain the efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the State government has notified the new policy of ‘Testing on Payment and Paid Isolation’ which shall be implemented in the State from October 16.
As per the policy, every entrant who has registered for testing has to pay Rs 500 for testing at the entry point. This shall be exempted for those who are carrying a RT-PCR negative report from any of the recognised laboratory within 72 hours from the time of sampling.
Payment has to be made through mobile banking so that there is no contact during payment. However, cash also shall be accepted for those who do not have mobile based payment.
Any person (including MHIS cardholders) who desires to get tested with RT-PCR/CBNAAT/TruNAT on their own without a medical advice shall approach the notified hospitals for getting tested on payment of Rs 3200.
The hospitals include Pasteur Institute, Shillong, Nongpoh Civil Hospital, Nongstoin Civil Hospital, Tura Civil Hospital, Baghmara Civil Hospital, Williamnagar Civil Hospital, Ampati Civil Hospital, Resubelpara Community Health Centre, Khliehriat Community Health Centre, Mawkyrwat Community Health Centre, Jowai MCH Hospital and also at three private hospitals in Shillong – Nazareth Hospital, Bethany Hospital, and H Gordon Roberts Hospital.
The bookings for such test can be made online through www.coronamegh.in. Payment for the test can be made at the facility either through mobile payment or cash. The person may also walk in to the facilities for testing subject to availability of slots.
Those who belong to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households (Yellow & Pink NFSA Cardholders) on medical advice can avail the testing for free at any of the government hospitals as mentioned. The testing slots shall be subject to availability. Testing in private hospitals will be on payment basis only.
For anyone who has been identified as high risk contact or in need of testing as advised by the Health Department officials, such test shall be continued for free. This shall be strictly applicable to only those recommended by the District Surveillance Team.
Based on the revised Discharge Policy as issued on August 21 this year, paid isolation shall be made available to those who test positive and are categorised as A or B and who do not require hospitalisation and those who wish to observe the recommended period of isolation in a paid facility.
The amount payable for paid isolation shall be the same rates as fixed for paid quarantine or as notified by the Deputy Commissioners.
The food expenses shall be separate and to be borne by the occupant. The list of such paid isolation facility shall be notified by the Deputy Commissioners.
Persons admitted to Corona Care Centres who do not belong to BPL households (Yellow & Pink NFSA cardholders) shall pay for the food served. The amount payable shall be notified by the respective Deputy Commissioners.
However, there will be an option of getting home food delivered by a family member at the premises of the Corona Care Centres.