SHILLONG: The state government on Friday, in its amended SOP for returnees, introduced the new testing, quarantine and discharge policy for COVID-19.
As per the new policy, a returnee who enters the state will be tested with Rapid Antigen Test Kit at the entry point.
Considering the situation is more hassle-free i.e. when the person tests negative and is asymptomatic, he will only be advised strict home quarantine for a period of 10 days. However, if the person is symptomatic despite testing negative in the rapid antigen test, he will have to undergo the RT-PCR, CBNAAT or Truenat test for confirmation.
Following this, if the person still tests negative, 10 days of quarantine will be applicable without any follow up, but if tested positive, the person will again be tested after 10 days.
Having spent the 10 days, the returnee can go for 10-day home quarantine if tested negative but if the person tests positive again following the confirmatory test, the health officials will test him after every two days till the test comes out negative following which, he will be discharged and asked to go under home quarantine.
However, in case a person tests positive for COVID in the rapid antigen test while entering the state, he will have to undergo the confirmatory test and then based on its result, the Health department will follow up with the prescribed steps.