SHILLONG, March 28 - The Meghalaya Government has formed three teams, each headed by a Cabinet minister, to coordinate and supervise the preparedness against COVID-19 in the State.
The State has been divided into three regions � Jaintia Hills, Khasi Hills-Ri-Bhoi and Garo Hills.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has been tasked to head the team for the Khasi Hills-Ri-Bhoi region and Power Minister James Sangma will oversee the Garo Hills region. Home Minister Lakhmen Rymbui will oversee the Jaintia Hills region.
The three Cabinet ministers will coordinate with the local MLAs, district administrators, NGOs, religious leaders and civil societies.
The Government feels that the arrangement would ensure a seamless approach towards tackling any eventuality.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, along with Tynsong and Rymbui, inspected the �corona isolation centres� at IIM Shillong at Nongthymmai and at the Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute in Mawdiangdiang last evening. These two isolation centres will be able to accommodate over 300 people. Sangma said the requisite manpower has been mobilised and trained to handle any eventuality.
�The isolation centres were set up in compliance with the advisory protocols. All necessary arrangements are being put in place to deal with any emergency situation that may arise. Mock drills will also be conducted at these centres,� Sangma said.
The Chief Minister also visited Tura to inspect the isolation centre at the Tura Civil Hospital today, which has a capacity to accommodate 300 people. Two testing centres are also being set up in Tura.
On the other hand, the Government announced that students from outside the State who have been stranded here due to the lockdown are being provided accommodation at the MBOSE Guest House and the Education Guest House. The administration has stated that any stranded student who has run out of stocks and needs help, can stay at these two places. Arrangements are also being made for the homeless.
Meanwhile, the East Khasi Hills district administration has promulgated curfew from 6 am today till 6 am on March 31. Designated shops selling essential commodities and emergency services have been excluded from the purview of the curfew.
