COVID-19: Meghalaya Revised Protocols for Entry Points

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 11, 2021

The Meghalaya Health and Family Welfare department has revised protocols for entry points due to a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in many states of the country.

According to the protocols issued by Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Health & Family Welfare Department said “Whereas there is a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in many States of the country with the possibility of the emergence of new strains requiring immediate steps to be taken contain the spread of the virus in the State.

Therefore, in supersession of all previous Notifications issued in respect of Entry and Exit, the following protocols are hereby issued for information and strict compliance.”

Registration

It is mandatory for all people entering Meghalaya to register themselves prior to their travel at: http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid/testing.htm, and to download the Arogya Setu App and the Behavioural Change Management App of Meghalaya from Google play store.

• Testing
  • All entrants, other than those from North Eastern States shall carry a valid RT PCR/CBNAAT/TruNat negative certificate else they will be tested with RTPCR on cost  basis. The COVID negative report will be valid only if they were tested within 72 hours of their arrival at the entry point. All entrants tested by RT-PCR at the entry point should go into home quarantine or paid quarantine till the test results are declared.
  • Entrants coming with a COVID Negative report but showing symptoms on arrival at the entry point will have to be mandatorily tested by RT-PCR.
  • Persons entering the State from any State or Union Territory possessing a valid final certificate of vaccination shall be exempted from testing. 
  • Day-trippers from N.E. States to be tested using RAT

• Quarantine                                                          

All entrants tested by RT-PCR at the entry point should go into home quarantine or paid quarantine till the test results are declared. The test results are usually available within 48 hours. If tested negative, which shall be communicated through an SMS or can be checked online at www.coronamegh.in, such individuals can carry on with their daily activities or work normally. 

If tested positive, SOP for home or institutional isolation should be followed.

• For International Travellers

It is mandatory for all international travellers entering the state to produce a negative RTPCR test report. The report will be valid only if they were tested within 72 hours of their arrival. If they are unable to do so, their sample must be collected at the entry point and shall be sent for RTPCR testing.

All international travellers should be under home quarantine for 7 days from the date of their arrival regardless of their test results. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

• All entrants exempted from quarantine are to closely monitor their health for 10 days from the date of entry into the State. Upon development of any symptoms of COVID-19, such individuals should self-report to the nearest healthcare facility/ANM/ ASHA worker. They can also report their symptoms on 14410 – State Level COVID helpline. All entrants will be monitored on a regular basis through IVRS calls from the Health Department. 
  • It is also mandatory that all entrants should diligently follow the three recommended COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour at all times, i.e., wearing mask, maintaining social distancing and practicing hand hygiene.