Closure of entry points not to be seen as defying MHA guidelines: Tynsong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 31, 2020

The closure of various entry points to the state has started on Monday midnight and will continue till September 7.  

The state government has decided to go ahead with its decision to close all entry points to the state in the first week of every month from September to November, despite the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) new guidelines which prohibits restriction on inter-state movement of persons and goods.

Reacting to a query, Tynsong said, “We should not misunderstand as it (decision to close down the entry points) is not a total closure but it is only a regulation due to the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.”

“We are not against the directives of the MHA but we as a state government are also responsible to control the spread of the virus to ensure citizens are safe. Therefore, the regulation from the state government will continue but it doesn’t mean that we restrict (inter-state movement),” he stated.  

The deputy chief minister said the closure of all entry points is part of the regulation by the state government to unburden the health and frontline workers, who are deployed at these entry points for screening and testing people coming from outside the state, for COVID-19.

“The closure will also allow us to disinfect these entry points,” Tynsong said while reiterating that the “decision doesn’t mean that the state is defying the MHA directives.”