With rapid detection of new COVID-19 cases, the Meghalaya government on July 3 decided to conduct random tests and clamped curfew from Khanapara to Byrnihat area along the Assam-Meghalaya border following surge of positive cases in the neighbouring state.

Meghalaya as on July 3 has registered 62 positive cases, which include 18 active cases. As many as 43 patients have recovered from the viral infection. The state has recorded one death.

“Random testing will be conducted from Khanapara to Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district bordering Assam starting from July 4 and a 48-hour curfew has been clamped from 9 pm on July 3,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters.

He said these decisions were taken for the safety of the people residing in these areas bordering Assam.

“The curfew is to ensure people are restricted from coming out of their homes,” Tynsong said, adding that the Ri-Bhoi district administration would ensure that nobody comes out of their house or compound.

“I also request people residing on the Assam side to comply with the decision of the Meghalaya government where contact is inevitable not to violate the curfew at all,” the deputy chief minister said.

“For the interest of the state, wherever necessary, Meghalaya is ready to take a joint decision with Assam for the interest of the people residing along the inter-state boundary,” he further added.

On the other hand, health authorities and district administration have began random collection of swab samples from residents of Phulbari area in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district bordering Assam’s South Salmara district for COVID-19 testing.

“We have conducted random collection of swab samples of people residing in Phulbari area close to the Assam-Meghalaya border after five persons of Naga Bund area from South Salmara district in Assam tested positive for COVID-19,” West Garo Hills District Magistrate, Ram Singh said.

Singh said that the high-risk individuals are considered to be those who are shopkeepers, drivers and barbers residing in the area.

“As of now, we have sealed the border on our side to ensure that there is no movement of people,” he said, adding that contact tracing was on.

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