Govt reduces rate of COVID-19 test by 50%

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 22, 2021

The state government has decided to reduce the rate of COVID-19 test by 50 percent.

“We have reduced the rate of COVID-19 test for RTPCR/CBNAAT/Truenat to Rs 500 from Rs 1,000 while for Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) it has also come down to 50 percent (from Rs 500),” Health Minister AL Hek told reporters on Monday.

Stating that the department is fully prepared to tackle the second wave of infection, Hek said after a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had called a meeting with the health department to take precaution for the second wave.

“We also urged the people of the state to follow strict protocols of wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing. People should not be complacent,” he said.

Asked, the minister said the state government has not taken any decision for imposing a lockdown in the state but “people need to be careful to prevent surge in the cases.”