SHILLONG, Oct 29 - The Meghalaya Health and Family Welfare Department, in a notification, has released the revised COVID-19 test rates and specified hotels that an individual or family can book to stay in isolation after testing positive.
The department has fixed rapid antigen test (RAT) at Rs 500 per individual. Anyone entering the State has to undergo the test or will have to furnish a similar test report at the entry point. However, the test report cannot be older than 72 hours.
For the RT-PCR test, an individual will have to pay Rs 1,000, for a TrueNat test Rs 1,500, and for a CBNAAT test Rs 3,000. Earlier, the CBNAAT test price was fixed at Rs 3,200.
However, people belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and others who have been identified as high-risk contacts in the containment zones and advised tests by the Health Department, will be tested free of cost, the notification stated.
�The new rates shall be effective from October 29,� it added.
Meanwhile, seven hotels and guesthouses have been designated in East Khasi Hills district as �paid Isolation Centres for asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients who wish to spend the recommended period of quarantine in a paid facility�. These hotels and guesthouses are Hotel Polo Towers, Woodstock Farm House, Hotel Assembly, Sojourn Guest House, The Habitat, Hotel Barbareek and Treebo Omega Home Stay.
It has been notified that shared rooms will be permitted only for families opting to live in isolation together. All bookings will have to be done before arrival and patients will arrive at the hotel only after their booking is confirmed.
The patients will not be allowed to move out of their rooms or walk in the corridors and must stay away from other people in the hotel or guesthouse.
Meanwhile, in another development, the Meghalaya Government on Thursday announced the reopening of bars in the East Khasi Hills district from October 31.
Deputy Commissioner (Excise), East Khasi Hills, said �all IMFL �ON� Licence (Bar) premises� would reopen subject to strict compliance to the SOP issued.
�All the licensees are required to intimate the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Excise), East Khasi Hills district upon re-opening and submit an undertaking that SOPs will be strictly adhered to. Spot inspection will be conducted for verification of strict adherence to SOPs,� an Excise Department notification said.
