SHILLONG, Jan 12: Meghalaya government has exempted a select group of persons including foreign dignitaries, Union ministers, government officials etc, from COVID-19 testing at the entry points as well as quarantine.
In a statement, Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health department, informed that the move has been made in view of the fact that such officials are reluctant to visit the state owing to the stringent COVID-19 testing protocols in place.
“Consequent to Unlock 3.0 Guidelines of Government of India, there are various categories of officials and persons who require to visit the state for official purposes but are reluctant to do so in view of stringent COVID-19 testing protocols of the state. This is hampering the progress of development activities,” Sampath Kumar said.
As per the statement, those exempted from testing and quarantine include visiting constitutional authorities, VVIPs, Government of India officials, state government officials, officials of investigation/ intelligence/ agencies such as National Investigation Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation/ Enforcement Directorate, Intelligence Bureau, who are on official/covert visits and Income Tax department officials.) Further, persons, as may be decided by the state government, based on official exigency, have also been exempted, the statement said.
However, there are certain stipulations associated with the exemption.
The duration of stay of such persons in the state cannot normally exceed 72 hours, the statement said.
“The deputy commissioners of the concerned districts to which the above category of persons are bound to will be informed in advance. Visiting dignitaries/officials will download and register them on the Arogya Setu app. During the period of stay, they will follow all health safety protocols confining their movement to their place of work. Symptomatic dignitaries/officials will have to undergo COVID-19 testing as per the state’s health protocol,” it added.
