Police in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya have started thermal screening of all individuals and tourists entering the state, while sanitising public places and transport vehicles in some parts in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

On Thursday, people entering from Assam were screened at Byrnihat infiltration checkpost by officials from Nongpoh civil hospital and officers of Byrnihat police outpost and the checkpost.

Meghalaya, which has no positive cases of Covid-19 so far, has shut down all its tourist spots since Tuesday.

In East Garo Hills, local production of masks by trained women was being attempted by the district industries centre. Deputy commissioner Swapnil Tembe said the masks would first be tested by medical experts before undertaking mass production.

In West Garo Hills, government offices, supermarket and vehicles at the inter-state bus terminus were sanitised. The administration requested transport operators to sanitise vehicles. Moreover, banks in Tura have started sanitising ATM kiosks, counters, door handles and others.

The social welfare department advisory states that social distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette should be maintained in all Anganwadi centres, child care institutions and juvenile homes. All juvenile and child care institution inmates should be checked regularly by medical officers for any coronavirus symptoms. New inmates should be checked by a medical officer or paramedical staff before entry into juvenile homes.

All social welfare officers have been asked to ensure safety and protection of women, children, pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescent girls.

The excise commissioner has ordered all Indian-made foreign liquor licenced shops to be shut till March 31.

On the last day of the budget session, chief minister Conrad K. Sangma, while presenting the budget estimates for 2020-2021, said the pressing concern was to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“I want to assure this august House and the citizens of the state that the government is taking all possible measures in accordance with the advisories of the Centre. We are committed to taking measures that may be necessary to effectively deal with this problem.”

“I request the support and cooperation of all sections of society to overcome this challenge,” Conrad said.