SHILLONG, May 14 - The NPP-led Meghalaya Government and the Opposition Congress have joined hands to put up a united fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the State. The ruling and Opposition parties resolved to work together to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic during a meeting chaired by Speaker Methbah Lyngdoh today.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, his Cabinet colleagues, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma and other MLAs were present in the meeting, which was the second such meeting between the ruling and Opposition parties on COVID-19.
Emerging from the meeting, the Speaker said that �we had a fruitful discussion�, and that the State Government detailed the steps taken so far to contain the pandemic in the State. Chief Secretary MS Rao made the presentation to the legislators.
Chief Minister Sangma said the meeting sends �an important message that all legislators are working together in this fight against COVID.�
�It only helps the Government and the officials to improve on their response to the pandemic,� he said.
The Leader of Opposition said the scientific world is grappling to find a vaccine for the virus and at this juncture, it is important to improve the efforts put in so far. He added that the efforts should be made to keep the State COVID-free.
The State Government gave a summary of the stranded people, and an update on the status of health infrastructure and testing facilities in the State. It also gave details of the entry protocols and the evacuation model adopted to bring back the stranded people. It was informed that till Wednesday evening, 3,978 stranded individuals were brought back to the State.
As many as 1,861 free provision kits were distributed till May 13 to individuals under home quarantine.
The meeting urged the citizens to �support COVID-19 positive individuals, accept the returnees from outside the State and not to stigmatise them or their families.�
