Shillong, Mar 18: Meghalaya Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said that the government was trying to get all possible information about foreign tourists who visit the state in order to take necessary precautionary measures including getting them quarantined in view of the outbreak of COVID-19.

“The government is trying to get all possible information so that necessary action can be taken. If they (foreign tourists) have to be quarantined, we have to do it, as this is a continuous measure we have to take (to prevent any outbreak in the state),” Rymbui told reporters while reacting to the concern expressed over the coming of foreign tourists into the state.

The minister said the government cannot just simply push back tourists especially those who have valid documents but precautionary measures are needed to ensure both citizens and such tourists are protected from the virus.

To a query, Rymbui said that the government is discouraging any tourist to come to the state during this period and is putting a system to closely monitor the same. He informed that all tourist places in the state have been asked to close down till March 31.

He said that police are also collecting information about foreign tourists and their travel history in the past one-two months. According to him, necessary instructions have also been issued to hotels and others on the matter.

“In view of the spread of COVID-19 across the globe, we as a government need to take precautionary measures to prevent any possible outbreak and protect our citizens from the virus,” the home minister said.