Newmai News Network
Shillong | December 2
In an attempt to ensure the safety of the citizens of Meghalaya, the state government has decided to prepare Covid protocols which will be in effect during the festive season.
“Keeping in mind the festive season, which has already begun, it is important that we come up with basic guidelines and if necessary protocols, to ensure that people are safe because during festive season, we tend to let our guard down,” Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma informed after a review meeting on the Covid situation in the state which was held on Wednesday.
He also said that the government will consult different stakeholders in this matter.
“The Deputy Commissioners will be asked to hold meetings with different stakeholders to get their feedback and within a week’s time, we will be able to come up with some guidelines for this festive season,” he said.
Appealing to citizens to strictly follow the upcoming protocols, Sangma said, “Christmas time is a time where we all are in a festive mood. So I would urge that whatever we do, we should always keep discipline and safety in mind.”
Stating that there is a decline in the number of positive Covid cases in the state, Sangma said, “It is a good message but it is important that we do not let our guard down by always ensuring that protocols are maintained.”
Asked about the Covid vaccination programme, Sangma said that the Prime Minister during a recently held meeting has clearly directed all the states to ensure that the necessary system and logistics are in place to implement the vaccination process as and when the vaccines are approved by the scientists and regulatory authorities.
As far as Meghalaya state is concerned Sangma said that medical and frontline workers will be the first to be immunized in the first phase of the vaccination.
“Therefore, it will be a structured and easier process because most of them will be able to go to the closest health centres and receive the vaccination,” he said.
Asserting that the state is ready to implement the programme, Sangma said that all Deputy Commissioners have been asked to ensure that manpower and respective infrastructure is in place.
“So that will be the first phase and we expect that two doses will be required for every individual. We are not clear yet but this is what we have been told so we have to wait and see when the final information comes to us,” he said.
Pointing out that the UK government has today approved Pfizer vaccines, Sangma said, “This is positive news and hopefully will see as the days and the weeks go by we all hope that this will happen soon but more importantly we as a state should be ready to implement it in a swift manner.”
On the all party meeting called by the Prime Minister, Sangma said that this is in relation to the vaccination process.