SHILLONG/ NONGPOH, April 15: At a time when Meghalaya reels under the fresh spike of COVID-19 cases and apprehensions continue to mushroom, Agriculture Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh, on Thursday assured the farming community of Meghalaya that his department is working on stratagems to bail them out if the situation further compounds.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Banteidor said that his department is not only continuously reviewing the COVID-19 situation but is also prepared for any eventuality.
The agriculture minister’s assurance comes at the time when farmers, who were already hit hard by COVID-19 last year, have started developing fresh concerns over possible closure of activities in view of the unlooked-for spurt in COVID-19 cases across the state.
“In my department, I have already spoken to all the officers and there is nothing to worry so far. If the cases continue to surge, we will take a call but we do not want to disturb the farmers as it is the sowing time,” said Banteidor.
He said the state government, including his department, is continuously monitoring and reviewing the situation from its end and will act according to the need of the situation.
“The government, through the directorate, will examine the situation for a week. If the cases are on the rise, we will act on it but if not, then we should not push the panic button,” Banteidor maintained.
“The farmers can continue their work and, at the same time, the government will do what it can,” he added.
Expressing concern over the surge in COVID-19 cases, he appealed to the citizenry to conform to the protocols issued by the state government.
97 fresh cases
in Meghalaya
Meanwhile, Meghalaya on Thursday reported 97 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the active cases to 457.
With highest cases being reported from East Khasi Hills, the COVID-related fatality remains at 151 while three new recoveries were reported on Thursday.
As of now, there are 360 active cases alone in East Khasi Hills district.
Meanwhile, a total number of 50 people who attended a gathering at Calvary Bible College, Jingkieng Nongthymmai, have tested positive for COVID-19.
When contacted, DHS (MI), Dr Aman War, informed that initially four people had tested positive and it was following this a contact tracing was carried out and 46 more were found positive for COVID.
When asked if the second wave of COVID-19 has hit Meghalaya, War said the question of second wave does not arise since the government never declared that the pandemic had ended.
Banteidor assures to…
“All this while, we continued having positive cases. The second wave comes when we do not have any COVID cases for a certain period of time. At the moment, we are again seeing a surge in positive cases,” he added.
Ri Bhoi DC’s appeal
Ri Bhoi District Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah has appealed to all villages within the district to reactivate the Community COVID Management Committee and Behavioral Change Management Team.
In a statement, the DC also reiterated that entrants from Northeastern states must keep a copy of RAT-negative report while entrants from other parts of the country will have to keep a copy of RT-PCR-negative report.
If tested positive for COVID-19, a mandatory 10-day home quarantine is to be followed.