Govt amends quarantine norms, now 10 days isolation for COVID-19 patients

 The state government has also decided to convene a meeting with MLAs from the 17 constituencies in East Khasi Hills, which is the worst affected district by the pandemic, to discuss the prevailing situation on Friday.

“We have decided to amend the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols laid down right from the first day of the COVID-19 based on the latest guidelines from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after a review meeting.

Earlier, patients are allowed to come out of isolation only after 14 days of being tested positive for coronavirus.

With the revised quarantine norms in place, Tynsong said, “Those tested positive for COVID-19 at the entry point to the state, the protocol is that we will immediately take them to the corona care centre for further investigation but they only need to isolate for 10 days.”

Similarly, he said returnees who are tested negative for the virus, will also require undergoing home isolation for 10 days.

“The moment they (returnees) landed in Guwahati, they have to register at the entry points for rapid antigen test and if found negative, they will be allowed to go straight away to their respective houses and do home isolation for ten days,” he added.

Tynsong informed that the amended protocols will immediately take effect from tomorrow.

On the other hand, the deputy chief minister informed that a meeting will be convened by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma with all the MLAs from East Khasi Hills at the Yojana Bhavan, Main Secretariat tomorrow.

He said similar meetings will also be held with MLAs in other districts of the state, to discuss the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

The state has recorded a total of 1,661 COVID-19 cases including 925 active cases as on Thursday.

Stating that the recent sudden spike of cases is an indication that community transmission of the disease has started in the state, Tynsong said, “Therefore, we appeal to all citizens to strictly follow protocols issued by the government.”

Asked, he said that the government will also start encouraging home treatment of COVID-19 patients.

“We will also deliberate this issue in tomorrow’s meeting with the MLAs that it is high time for the traditional dorbar shnong across the state to welcome this move,” he said.

According to him, keeping people in isolation for a long period and away from their family and relatives can really have a negative impact on their mental health.

By Our Reporter