SHILLONG: An body of traditional institutions on Friday asked the state government to constitute ‘Constituency COVID-19 Committees’ involving MLAs among others for assistance in quarantining returnees and in the fight against the spread of the pandemic in the state.
The plea came on a day when the government revealed that as many as 400 returnees were found to have violated home-quarantine norms.
It also came on a day when the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) CEM T Chyne claimed that the government has accepted the suggestion to have the returnees go for institutional quarantine instead of home quarantine.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya,
Adviser & Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, reminded the government of their earlier suggestion to consider quarantining the returnees in government centres or community quarantine centres so as to effectively contain the possibility of COVID-19 spreading in the state.
Citing the instance of Manipur, the letter stated that an individual had tested positive on Thursday and the detection was possible as the state government had quarantined all the returnees for 14 days.
He said the state government could also adopt the same policy as a number of institutions like schools, colleges, universities, churches and their assets, hotels, play grounds etc were available and where some of the Dorbar Shnong have facilitated setting up of the community quarantine centres while some are verifying the quarantine space available in the individual places of residence.
Stressing on a coordinated effort, he suggested constitution of Constituency COVID-19 Committee at the earliest to be chaired by respective MLAs and include MDCs and traditional heads to help in the facilitation and support to the community quarantine centres through their respective MLA and MDC schemes.
“This will be most helpful in coordinating inputs especially relating to the returnees and to building confidence and awareness between the various agencies at the village, C&RD Block, District and State Level Committees”, the letter stated.
He said the step was necessary as latest reports and indication from WHO scientists suggest that containing coronavirus could take 4 – 5 years as the vaccine being developed currently may not be a guarantee.
Govt assurance
Meanwhile, Chyne said that the government has accepted the suggestion to have the returnees go for institutional quarantine instead of home quarantine.
Chyne said that the traditional heads met the chief minister, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Food and Civil Supplies Minister, James Sangma.
“We have encouraged the Dorbar Shnong to set up quarantine centres in schools and community halls to house the returnees. During our discussion, the state government decided to encourage institutional quarantine”, he said.
He also spoke about giving some assistance to volunteers monitoring the quarantine centres to which the state government said that it cannot extend assistance to all, but appealed to the community members to work together.
Besides, Chyne said that that the order issued by the government directing traders, shopkeepers to register and also pay fees of Rs 500 to the government was confusing and appealed to revoke the order.
As for opening up weekly markets, he said that the government will look at the current situation and decide accordingly. He also appealed that the people and shopkeepers should be strict about maintaining social distancing.
