The Meghalaya government has exempted foreign dignitaries, union ministers, government officials and others authorised by the State government from Covid-19 testing and quarantine.
In a notification passed today by Health & Family Welfare Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar said consequent to Unlock 3.0 Guidelines of Government of India, there are various categories of officials and persons who require to visit the State for official purposes but are reluctant to do so in view of stringent COVID-19 testing protocols of the State.
“This is hampering the progress of development activities in the State. Therefore, in order to facilitate entry for such persons in the interest of the State, the Governor of Meghalaya is pleased to exempt the following categories of persons from COVID-19 testing at the entry points and quarantine,” Kumar said.
These will include visiting Constitutional authorities, Government of India officials, State Government officials, persons belonging to the category of officials of investigation/ intelligence/agencies such as National Investigation Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation/Enforcement Directorate, Intelligence Bureau who are on official/covert visits and Income Tax Department officials on official visits.
Any other category of persons as may be decided by the State Government based on official exigency, the notification said.
Stipulations are also laid down for visiting official as they are not allowed to exceed 72 hours of stay in the State. The Deputy Commissioners will be informed on the visit in advance.
Visiting dignitaries/officials will register on the Arogya Setu and during the period of stay will follow all the health safety protocols confining their movement to their place of work.
Symptomatic dignitaries/officials will require to undergo COVID-19 testing as per the State health protocol.
