Govt makes 7-day quarantine mandatory for returnees from outside

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 26, 2021

The state government has directed all returnees from outside the state to mandatorily quarantine for seven days to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Speaking to media persons after chairing a review meeting on Monday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said close to 65 percent of returnees from outside the state are testing positive.

“Therefore, in order to ensure that we are able to contain the spread through these returnees apart from making RT PCR test mandatory for them, we are also giving very strong advisory to them to isolate themselves for seven days irrespective of whether they test positive or negative in the RT-PCR,” he said.

“We are giving a strong advisory to them and their family members that they isolate themselves for seven days because we are seeing that these returnees have a potential to spread the virus,” he added.

The chief minister said by doing this, there is a higher chance for the state to contain the situation.

Stating that the situation is very alarming, Sangma said the current trend is one of the highest in the past 12-14 months.  

“Therefore, the situation is serious and therefore different kinds of containment strategies have been adopted. We are looking at a situation where we want to avoid lockdown but at the same time to contain the situation we need to put more and more restrictions at least in the Shillong city area,” he said.

The chief minister also alerted the citizens of the state, especially of Shillong city that the situation is very serious.

“If we do not take the right step at this point in time, we could see the situation getting from bad to worse. Therefore, it is very essential that we take responsibility at our level to ensure that we don’t go out of our homes until and unless it is necessary,” he said.

Urging the citizens to get themselves vaccinated, the chief minister said, “I once again appeal to all citizens who are above the age of 45 to please come forward and get vaccinated as it is the best way to protect yourselves.”

To a question, the Chief Minister said that if the trend continues, the state may touch 5000 active cases also within a few days.

“That’s why we have taken measures by imposing more restrictions in certain areas including opening of non essential shops especially in Shillong,” he said.

He also said that the state government was concerned about the infrastructure, especially requirements like more beds, oxygen, and medication.