SHILLONG, Jan 8: As concern over the new variant of the coronavirus — Omicron — in the country grows and in view of Meghalaya’s gates still remaining open to tourists, Principal Secretary, Health, Sampath Kumar, has allayed the fears over the possible of spread of the
disease stating that measures have been put in place and “enough care” is being taken.
“We have put one layer of protection like testing so that you know we are taking enough care about those who are coming, and even the ones that are fully vaccinated, they’re tested again to ensure that they are not carrying the virus,” said the Principal Secretary of Health.
He informed that tourists are also being directed to not venture out until and unless their RTPCR test results are declared, while adding that they are also being monitored.
Sampath Kumar, however, said that while measures are being put in place, it is of prime importance that the COVID-appropriate behaviour is followed.
“Today the virus is already there and it is not that it is coming only from outside. Even at tourist spots, they should maintain COVID-appropriate behaviour. These are also important and not just the entry (of people),” he said.
“What is more important is how actually we are handling COVID within the communities. It’s not only the tourist even the person who is living in that area. It is important to maintain COVID-appropriate behaviour,” he added.
Kumar also stressed on vaccination, stating that it is very important to ensure that everybody is vaccinated and that all adhere to protocols. “We need to actually go into a new normal. We are taking the vaccine and we’re also taking a booster dose. So, lots of things are important now and we need to acknowledge them and we need to really follow them,” Sampath Kumar added.
It may be mentioned that concern has been raised from several quarters about tourists arriving in the state while Omicron cases are steadily rising in other parts of the country.
In a recent incident, a tourist from Assam was detected to be infected with the Omicron variant of the virus. According to the authorities, he had returned halfway without actually going to the guest house he had registered with while entering at the check gate.