SHILLONG, June 23 - Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has tested negative for COVID-19 after returning from Manipur, where he had gone to end the rebellion within the ranks of the Manipur unit of the National People�s Party (NPP).
Sangma, who is also the NPP national president, had gone to Manipur on Sunday along with the convener of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
On his return to Meghalaya on Monday, the Chief Minister took a polymerase chain reaction test, the result of which came out negative today. State Health Minister AL Hek confirmed that the Chief Minister has tested negative for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, sources said Sangma again left for Manipur today after the test result was out. Hek said that the Health Department has given the clearance to the Chief Minister�s travel to Manipur.
According to a protocol issued by the Health Department on June 22, an official can travel on urgent government duties to other parts of the country. However, such persons will have to undergo RT-PCR tests mandatorily on their return.
Meanwhile, Hek said that an employee of the State Bank of India, Khanapara branch, has tested positive for COVID-19. However, the person tested positive in Assam and is being quarantined there.
But the branch, which is located in Meghalaya, has been closed and contact tracing of the positive person is on. He said that the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi district has given instructions to trace all persons who came in contact with the affected person.
