No free COVID-19 test in Meghalaya from Oct 16
Shillong/IBNS: While the COVID-19 positive cases are rising alarmingly, the Meghalaya government has decided to withdraw free testing facilities in the state.
From Oct 16, the people of Meghalaya will have to pay for undergoing COVID-19 testing.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that, from Oct 16, anyone who wants to go for COVID-19 testing, will have to pay.
“It will be applicable for both permanent residents and the people who will come into the state for business purposes,” Prestone Tynsong said.
The Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister further said that, from July this year, the ICMR has withdrawn the assistance or subsidy to procure testing kits and now all the states have to pay themselves to procure testing kits.
“There is no more assistance from the central government and the ICMR has already issued this order,” Tynsong said.
He further said that, from Oct 16, the COVID-19 testing in Meghalaya will be done on payment basis.
Rapid Antigen test for COVID-19 will be mandatory for all persons including its permanent residents who will enter into the state from Oct 16 and an amount of Rs 500 will be charged for it.
Rs 3,200 will be charged for Truenat, CBNAAT or RTPCR testing, but the BPL category people will be exempted.
Those carrying the certificates of having undergone Truenat, CBNAAT or RTPCR test within 72 hours will be exempted.
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