The Meghalaya government has assured that the entry/exit points to and from Meghalaya will be hassle-free with “no uneasiness” for the travellers as the state opened for tourists after the break due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will ensure there is no uneasiness at any entry points. We welcome all, be it tourists or people coming for business to the state,” deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, who would inaugurate the first such point at Umling in Ri-Bhoi district on December 16, in place of Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, who is recuperating from COVID-19 infection.
“I will inaugurate it in the absence of the chief minister,” he said, adding that there would be three counters at the entry/exit point with requisite technology.
Tynsong said that the health and family welfare department and the tourism department would also be involved at these points to monitor the health status of the entrants and assist the visitors.
“Tourism department will also be there to take care of the tourists,” Tynsong said, adding that anybody entering the state will have to register at the entry points.
“Technology is there in the system and everything is integrated. Local or non-local, you have to come through the entry point as per the standard operating procedure (SOP) for COVID-19,” he said.
‘Not ILP, but registeration to enter Meghalaya’
“But in the interest of the state and individual’s safety, people have to register their name at the all entry points. It is our responsibility to ensure that everybody feels safe,” he added.
“I will not say ILP, but registration. This system, to be implemented, is simple and attractive for our friends coming from outside the state. The infiltration wing operationalised in their respective places as usual,” the deputy chief minister said.
“Later, we will have entry/exit points at other places of the state as well,” he said.
Asked on transit movement of passengers via Meghalaya to Mizoram, Barak Valley of Assam and Manipur, Tynsong said that the existing system is already there at the infiltration checkpoints to check the transit movement.
“Those vehicles which are for transit movements to other states via Meghalaya are checked at the infiltration check points as usual at Byrnihat. The entry point will not affect the transit movement,” he added.
