Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday sought the cooperation of every citizen to fight coronavirus.
While addressing the citizens of the state through public broadcaster DD Meghalaya and AIR at 7 pm and 8 pm on Friday, Conrad Sangma said: “During this global pandemic of COVID-19, we need the cooperation of every citizen to fight coronavirus disease.”
“Till date, there has not been a single case detected in our state of Meghalaya, but that does not mean we can be complacent,” the chief minister said.
Stating that the “next four weeks are crucial for our state to break the transmission chain of the virus”, the CM appealed to every citizen of the state to adhere to all the guidelines and advisories issued by the state government.
He also urged everyone to postpone all personal, professional and social activities during this crucial time.
He said on Saturday (March 21, 2020), to be observed as Coronavirus Awareness Day (CAD), all offices, banks (government and private), institutions, public places, market places and public transport will remain closed.
He urged the citizens not to look at this as a ‘Lockdown’.
The CM said the ‘Coronavirus Awareness Day’ should be observed to understand and prevent the spread of coronavirus disease in the state by “playing our part as individuals, families, locality and society at large”.
Conrad Sangma appealed to all the citizens to take this day to focus and become aware about this pandemic disease and take steps to protect oneself and the close ones.
The Meghalaya CM urged the citizens to report any travel history in the last 14 days, like students, working professionals, both private and government, to use any of the three ways to inform the government.
The citizens have been urged to inform by calling helpline number 108; by registering on the online registration system (Meghalayaonline.gov.in/Covid) or by calling respective DC office control room.
He urged the citizens to maintain social distancing including self-quarantine, and maintain personal hygiene like handwash protocol.
The headmen have been asked to take proactive steps to identify and inform the government accordingly.
“The medical volunteers and district surveillance team members will reach out to those identified households through phone or make visits if necessary to provide necessary guidance and care to those families for the next 14 days,” the CM said.
He claimed that the government is taking all necessary steps to maintain essential commodities.
The CM appealed to every citizen not to panic and “try to remain calm and also let us not stigmatize any person suspected of coronavirus”.
“We must remember that India is currently at Stage 2 of the pandemic and we must all do our part to ensure that the country does not transition into Stage 3 or 4,” he added.
He further reiterated that following the prescribed guidelines will reap huge dividends.
The Meghalaya CM urged the citizens to avoid social gatherings (social distancing), practice social distancing, maintain hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.