Meghalaya entry points reopen after coronavirus-induced closure

Guwahati: Entry points to the state of Meghalaya have officially reopened today after a brief closure amid the skyrocketing number of COVID-19 cases.

Faced with another rise in the number of cases, the Meghalaya health department says that it is ready to tackle "any situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic."

The state government had imposed temporary closure of various entry points to the state from midnight of July 23 till midnight of July 31, following the surge in the number of positive cases in the Northeast Indian state.

The entry points are Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi district, Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills, Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills and Tikrikilla, Mirjumla and Hallidayganj in West Garo Hills district.

Director of Health Services (MI) Dr. Aman War said that the Government is not expecting too many people to return to the state.

However, he said, the department is "ready" and teams have been deployed at the entry points to conduct rapid antigen tests on those entering the state.

At the same time, the health department is also on the job to conduct random testing in as many as 71 clusters identified as vulnerable to the spread of the virus, across the state.

Of these, a total of 22 clusters are in East Khasi Hills, 11 in West Garo Hills, 8 in Ri Bhoi, 7 in East Jaintia Hills, 5 in West Jaintia Hills, 5 in South West Garo Hills, 4 in East Garo Hills, 4 in South Garo Hills, 3 in North Garo Hills, 2 in West Khasi Hills and 1 in South West Khasi Hills

"All health workers dealing with COVID-19 patients and those having duties at the entry points not to let their guards down", he added

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