Govt to reopen education, tourism sectors from Sept 1: CM

SHILLONG, AUG 26: The state government on Thursday announced its decision to reopen the education and tourism sectors from September 1.

The decision was taken by the cabinet after taking into consideration the decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

Addressing media persons after the meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the cabinet has decided that all schools and colleges as well as the tourism sector will be open from September 1.

He said this was based on the recommendations made by the education department and the tourism department of the government.

On the education sector, Sangma said that class IX to XII will be opened in both rural and urban areas.

However, there will only be online classes for students of class I to V and school visits for class VI to VIII as far as urban areas are concerned, he said adding that in rural areas, there will be only school visits for class I to V and class VI to VIII will also be open.

With regards to the tourism sector, the Chief Minister said that tourists who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to visit Meghalaya for tourism related purposes from September 1.

He also informed that tourists who are not vaccinated or have taken only a single dose will have to produce a negative RT-PCR (Trunaat or Cbnaat report) which will be valid if they have been tested within 72 hours prior to their arrival at the entry point.

The tourists will also have to generate an e-invite for entry to Meghalaya through the Meghalaya App of the Meghalaya Tourism department.

It is also mandatory that the tourists who come in should book at least one night stay either hotel, home stay or guest houses and declaration of the complete itinerary should be there.

Tourists who are staying as guests of any family or friend in Meghalaya are also asked to declare the full address and contact details of the family or friend.

The Chief Minister said local tourists from within the state will be allowed to visit any location in Meghalaya for tourism related purposes if they are fully vaccinated or single vaccinated.

Local tourists who are not vaccinated will have to produce negative RT-PCR (Trunaat or Cbnaat report) before checking into any hotels or to visit any tourist spots.

By Our Reporter