Meghalaya drawing plans to bring back stranded citizens

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 29, 2020

The state government is working out on modalities to bring back its citizens stranded across the country due to the nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“We are still working out on the modalities to bring back all stranded citizens. We understand that their parents are worried but the government is also equally worried about them,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Wednesday.

He said the task on this regard has been entrusted to a committee headed by the commissioner & secretary in-charge health department Sampath Kumar.

“The government has to be ready with solid modalities. We need to carry along headmen and village dorbar as they (stranded people on their returning) will have to go back to their respective villages,” Tynsong added.

Over 10,287 people including students have been registered under the Chief Minister’s Special Grand for stranded people.

Of these, 7891 have so far been provided with financial assistance of Rs 3,000 each.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday informed that the Centre has permitted the movement of stranded persons including migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and others by road.

A statement issued by the ministry said they would be allowed to move between one State/ UT to another State/ UT, after the concerned states consult each other and mutually agree to.

“It has also been impressed upon that on arrival at their destination, such person(s) would be assessed by the local health authorities, and kept in home quarantine, unless the assessment requires keeping the person in institutional quarantine. They would be kept under watch with periodic health check-ups,” it said.

The ministry has also requested all states/UTs to encourage such persons to use Aarogya Setu app through which their health status can be monitored and tracked.