COVID testing on basis of payment in Meghalaya from Oct 16

SHILLONG: From October 16, the people will have to pay for undergoing COVID testing. This will apply to its residents and also entrants — both permanent residents and those coming into the State for business purposes, informed Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong here on Tuesday.

"From October 16, anyone who wants to go for testing — be it rapid antigen test, CBNAAT, TRUNAAT and RTPCR — will be done only on payment basis," said Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.

However, the BPL families will be exempted from payment, but the beneficiaries will have to carry their cards if they go for testing.

The Deputy Chief Minister also said that people who go for testing will have to pay Rs 3,200 and Rs 500 for rapid antigen test.

The hospitals now recognised by the government for undergoing RTPCR, CBNAAT and TRUNAAT are – the Pasteur Institute, Civil Hospital Nongpoh, Civil Hospital Tura, CHC Resubelpara, CHC Baghmara, Civil Hospital Williamnagar, CHC Khliehriat, Civil Hospital Ampati, CHC Mawkyrwat, Maternity and Child Hospital Jowai, Nazareth Hospital, Bethany Hospital and H. Gordon Robert's Hospital.

"Testing charges will not be applicable for high-risk contacts," Tynsong said.

Tynsong further informed that the Centre had stopped the subsidy on the testing kits since July.

"Other states have stopped this facility; but we are continuing till October 15," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that antigen tests will be mandatory for people — both permanent residents and those coming for business purposes — at the entry points but on payment of Rs 500.

Tynsong also said that anyone coming into the State and having certificate of testing within 72 hours of their coming into Meghalaya, will be exempted from such tests.

He also informed that the government has asked the respective Deputy Commissioners to convene a meeting with hotel and guests house owners to ask if they were willing to convert their facilities into corona care centers.

He also said that food provided by the government in the corona care centers will be charged from October 16 even as he said that the respective Deputy Commissioners has been asked to work out on the rates per person per day.

"For food, the BPL families will be exempted from payment; and we also encourage home food," he said.

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