COVID-19: DC Khliehriat issues SOP for entry of people from other states

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 13, 2020

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state, the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for entry of all persons into Meghalaya through Ratacherra, East Jaintia Hills District.

The SOP states that it is mandatory for all persons who intend to return to Meghalaya to register at www.meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid and those who do not have internet access, may call 81320-11037, 84330-38716, 97115-44148, and 73385-50288 between 9AM to 8 PM. In exceptional circumstances, if an individual is unable to register as per mention above manual registration will be done at the entry points. Further, after registration, an acknowledgement form with a QR code will be issued online or sent to the registered number by WhatsApp/ SMS and the QR code has to be shown at the time of entry into Meghalaya at the Designated Entry Points along with a valid photo ID.

All persons who enter the state without registration will be liable for penalty as per the provisions of law. Those who enter the State shall mandatorily download the Corontine App of the State Government by following the URL: https://bit.ly/35gg1cm or from the Google Play Store. It is also advised Aarogya Setu app may be downloaded.

According to the Order, health check at entry points will be done and all persons entering Meghalaya will be scanned at designated entry points by an infrared thermometer or thermal scanner to detect body temperature. Any person showing symptoms of COVID-19 (as determined by the screening personnel), will be tested using Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits at health check-up Kiosk. Also, all other co-travelers (people who travelled together in same vehicle) will have to wait till the testing process is completed.

The SOP also states that if the person test negative, he/ she, along with all the co- travelers, shall proceed to their respective homes and be under mandatory home quarantine for 14 days along with their family members and shall be followed up by the IDSP unit, which shall also keep the Headman of the locality informed. Whereas, if a person test positive a confirmatory RT-PCR test will have to be done and the individual shall be taken to the nearest designated sample collection facility and kept under institutional quarantine/ isolation till the PCR test results are available, if the result is confirmed positive, the process outline in the confirmed case management protocol of the Health and Family Welfare Department will be implemented.

In addition, all asymptomatic individual will not be tested and will have to undergo mandatory home quarantine along with their families for a period of 14 days. They should also compulsorily wear mask and practice hand hygiene (using hand sanitizer or washing hands frequently with soap) and maintain social distancing at all times.

Regarding the transportation and travel facility, the order states that the Government through transport Department will make necessary arrangements for transporting people returning to the state by road from neighboring states provided prior information is provided through the registration mechanism, Those who are able to manage their own transportation are also allowed to do so with prior intimation through the registration mechanism.

The Order also states that, incase some families desire to pick-up returning family members from the airport/ bus- station/ railway station at Guwahati, one family member along with one driver can be allowed by the Deputy Commissioner and it should be ensured that the family members going to pick-up the returning individual should not have any ailments. Vehicles should only stop for border screening and not at any other location.

The information of all those under home quarantine will be share by the Health and Family Welfare Department with the Deputy Commissioner and he will also share the information with the Headman of the locality where the person resides for ensuring community enforcement of home / family quarantine.

Additionally, the Community COVID Management Committees/ Terms will monitor and also provide necessary support and follow up for all people who are under home quarantine. Geo fencing will be used to monitor people undergoing quarantine and authorities will get a notification in case of a breach of home quarantine and any who violate Home or institutional Quarantine shall be liable for penalty as per provision of law.

Free Provision Kits under the Chief Minister’s Special Grants will be provided to all families under home quarantine. The Deputy Commissioner stated that this Standard Operating Procedure shall come into force with immediate effect.