Omicron Scare in Northeast: MTDC Chairman bats for Covid restrictions in Meghalaya, Sikkim issues fresh curbs

After a brief respite from the Covid-19 restrictions, residents of Meghalaya may have to face them yet again due to the emergence of Omicron.

Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) chairman, Saleng A Sangma on Friday, December 31^st said that the state government needs to re-impose some of the COVID-19 restrictions in view of the rise in Omicron cases in various parts of the country.

Sangma said that the state government will need to act anytime soon after seeing what had happened last year during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chairman of MTDC has also raised concerns on allowing tourists in the state.  According to him, the government will have to take a call if there is a need to put restrictions on the entry of tourists from outside if cases spike in the near future.

Sangma lauded the Assam government’s proactive approach to the Omicron threat.  The MTDC chairman said it is good to see that the Assam Government is continuing with the night curfew. Saleng Sangma said that the Meghalaya government cannot allow the people to be infected by this new variant taking into account the prevailing health care facilities in the state.

Meanwhile, the Sikkim government has also announced new restrictions till January 10th amid the omicron spike across the globe. With the announcement of the new restrictions, pubs, cinema halls, restaurants, bakeries, gymnasiums, and all other commercial establishments shall now operate with a maximum 50% capacity.

On the other hand, all social & political gatherings are to be organized with prior permission from District Commissioners whereas funfairs are banned until further notice.