SHILLONG, April 3: In the wake of steep surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Meghalaya Government has mandated production of COVID-negative RT-PCR reports for entrants from select states and union territories.
According to a statement from the Health and Family Welfare department, the aforesaid directive will be applicable to entrants from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh and Gujarat.
Lest the entrant from the above-mentioned place fails to produce a COVID-negative RT-PCR report, he or she will have to undergo testing for the same at the entry point on government-prescribed rates.
“Such persons will also have to proceed to their residence or place of stay and shall have to be quarantined until the test results are declared,” the statement said.
“RAT-negative report shall not be valid for persons coming from these states. The COVID-negative (RT-PCR) report will be valid only if they were tested within 72 hours of their arrival at the entry point,” it added.
It may be mentioned that the state government had recently cut down the rates of testing for both RT-PCR test and RAT. Whilst the rates for the RT-PCR test have been fixed at Rs 500, the rates for RAT have been fixed at Rs 250.
Night curfew extended
The East Khasi Hills district magistrate on Saturday extended the night curfew in the district till April 11.
According to a statement from the district magistrate, the curfew will be promulgated between 12 am and 5 am every day.
The relaxations and restrictions during the curfew hours will remain as per earlier orders. “Curfew passes may be obtained online at eastkhasihills.gov.in,” the statement said.
Cases in state
Meanwhile, according to a statement, Meghalaya on Saturday recorded 24 COVID-19 cases.
The state capital is the most-affected district with 58 active cases, followed by West Garo Hills with 23 active cases.
Meghalaya has so far registered 14,106 confirmed COVID cases, which includes 150 deaths and 13,868 recoveries.
