Entry barred at Jiri for those without negative test results, tests at airport fail to specify which test conducted
Many arrive at Mao Gate sans negative test results
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati/Jiri, April 18 2021: Even as the Government ramped up measures to avoid the second wave of COVID-19 in Manipur, screening and collection of samples of those who arrived without a negative result via RT-PCR, TrueNat and CB-NAAT COVID-19 tests have started at Mao checkpoint today.

All persons entering the State irrespective of their origin (place) are being screened at the Mao Gate by a group of healthcare workers stationed here.

Samples for RT-PCR test for those who arrieved without the results of the test, are being collected to be sent to JNIMS (Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences) Porompat.

At Jiribam, a police source said people who arrived at Jiribam checkpoint without negative test reports were not given entry today.

At Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, as many 111 air passengers were tested for COVID-19 today and all of them were found negative, said a status report on COVID-19 .

Entry barred at Jiri for those without negative test results

However, it did not specify the nature of the test conducted.

Sources said 90 percent of the commuters who arrived at Mao Gate today did not have negative test reports with them.

As many as 456 samples were collected for RT-PCR test and they were allowed entry with the advice to stay under strict home quarantine.

One doctor with 20 paramedical staff are stationed at Mao gate.

Notably, this arrangement came following an April 15 order issued by Soiminlian Lengen, Deputy Secretary (Health & FW), Government of Manipur which mandated that all persons entering Manipur, whether by air or by road and irrespective of place of origin shall be allowed entry only on production of a negative RT-PCR/TruNat/CB-NAAT COVID-19 test report taken within 72 hours from arrival in Manipur.

This order was effected from April 18.Briefing the media, Dr Nakho Johnson posted here (at the Mao Gate) said that the collection of samples for Covid test commenced today.

As all commuters entering Manipur are required to produce an RT-PCR negative report, Mao police are checking the relevant documents.

Those who are found without a negative test report card are sent to the medical team stationed here for collection of samples, said Johnson.

More than 120 samples were collected till 1 pm.

The samples would be sent to JNIMS, Porompat tomorrow morning for RT-PCR test.

The results are expected to arrive later in the evening or the next day, said Dr Johnson.

The doctor further stated that after samples are collected, the commuters are given passage to proceed to their destinations with the advice to stay under strict home isolation.

The results of the tests would be informed through their contact numbers or nearest police station.

Some passengers brought Rapid Antigen Test negative reports with them but the RAT is not a valid document to get entry as per the Government order.

These passengers are allowed entry only after the medical staff collected their samples for RT-PCR test, Dr Johnson added.

Meanwhile, even as the authorities are checking the negative test report of the commuters and collecting samples from those who are without one, Mao Gate is becoming congested and is a concern, said a commuter.

On the other hand, the members of the medical team presently stationed at Mao Gate are found to be staff of healthcare institutions in Senapati district.

As they are stationed here, there is a shortage of staff at their place of posting.