SHILLONG: Shortly after five positive covid-19 cases had been detected in neighbouring Assam, Meghalaya Government directed the officials bordering districts to ensure that all the norms as far as Government’s fight against COVID-19 were strictly followed.
Speaking to media persons after holding discussions with MLAs of East Khasi Hills here on Wednesday, Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma said that the people who were tested in Assam had attended a religious programme at Nizamuddin in New Delhi and the seven people from Meghalaya who had attended the same programme, have not returned to the state as yet.
He said that ad the inter-district movements have been stopped by the Ministry of Home Affairs, there was no question of allowing any movement being within the state and from other states.
“Only in case extreme medical emergency, we are allowing inter-state movement to take place,” the Chief Minister said while adding that the Government has asked district officials in border areas to ensure that all the norms as far as Government’s fight against COVID-19 are strictly followed.
When asked if the Government is contemplating to come up with a separate hospital for the COVID-19 cases, Sangma said that the idea was definitely on the plan and as COVID-19 would continue to exist even after April 14, every state of the country was preparing itself for any kind of situation and Meghalaya Government too was exploring these necessities
He said that the present situation required immediate action and as a temporary measure, Government has requisitioned different locations and buildings to set up isolation and quarantine centres.
“We feel this should be enough for the time being but we will keep on increasing the numbers,” he said
On being asked if the state has enough medicines and equipment for treatment of COVID-19, he said that no state and country had enough equipment and the entire country was facing shortage but Government would use this equipment judiciously.
When asked about the strategy after April 14 when the lockdown would be lifted, he said that the strategy would be decided by the Central Government even as he added that the idea behind the lockdown was to break the chain of transmission so that it did not become a full blown case like other countries.
He said that post April 14, Government and everyone would have to be careful and as economy and life have to move on, certain restrictions may be put on and certain activities may be reduced.
Till the time we find a medicine or a vaccine, we will be in Corona Age and we will have to learn to live with it along with precautions and social distancing and Government would have to prepare a rapid action system to respond to any situation.