COVID-19 testing of Air and in-road passengers to be discontinued
Source: IT News

Imphal, December 16 2020: COVID-19 testing of the incoming air passengers at Imphal Airport and by road passengers is likely to be discontinued as the percentage of air passengers testing positive has reduced to about 1% .

Official source said that targeted testing is not essential when the positivity rate is below 2% .

The source however said that thermal screening surveillance will be made more vigorous by increasing the number of screening counter from 1 to 4 .

The Thermal Screening at Mao and Jiribam Gate had been started in line with Gol guidelines.

The number of persons detected with high temperature or Covid symptoms is minimal.

The health workers working at these thermal screening stations could be relocated to other health facilities.

Thermal screening at these 2 (two) Gates may be dispensed with.

Screening at ISBT, Malom and Sekmai may also be discontinued.

Compulsory Covid testing of incoming road passengers may be discontinued, the source said.

On the other hand the Covid Care Centre at Meitram (Malom) is also closing as the number of occupancy has been reduced.

According to the official source the proposal for closure of the CCC Meitram has been discussed during minutes of the meeting of Covid Task Force chaired by chief secretary held on 14.12.2020 at 2:00pm in the secretariat conference hall.

It said that at present, the State has a capacity of 1200 beds at Covid Care Centres in Imphal and the occupancy is about 200 only.

Therefore, the Covid Care Centre at Meitram (Malom) may be closed so that Doctors and Health Care Workers working there could be redeployed to other covid facilities for provision of better health care to the patients. In connection with the Night Curfew and other SOP, the existing SOP dated 27th November 2020 relating to opening of establishments, shops etc.

and night curfew is to be continued to prevent any spike in fresh cases.

Meanwhile, Rehanuddin Choudhury, Joint Secretary (Home) is designated as Nodal Officer for interacting and furnishing of details requested by Ministry of Home Affairs, especially with reference to Covid vaccination matter.

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