Shillong, June 24: With the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, including neighbouring Assam, the Meghalaya government on Wednesday urged people from other states to refrain from attempting to come into the state till inter-state movement is restored and the situation improves.

The government has further decided to further strengthen its vigilance at all entry and exit points to and from the state.

“In comparison to the rest of the country, Meghalaya is doing well in dealing with COVID-19 situation and the numbers of active cases have dropped to three in the State,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said.

Following this many from other States are trying to take shelter in Meghalaya, he said.

“Given the prevailing situation the message is very clear since the inter-state movement is not allowed all concerned should kindly avoid coming to Meghalaya unless emergency,” Tynsong said.

He informed that at least 17,000 migrants have also moved out of Meghalaya with the ease in lock-down even as 18020 resident of the State have returned from other parts of the country till date.

Referring to the spike in COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Assam, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “in order to avoid the infection from spreading into Meghalaya, the government has decided to ask people to refrain from coming to the state till inter-state movement is allowed.”

“We request all to kindly refrain from coming into our state at this time till the situation improves and till the inter-state movement is allowed, especially now when we are witnessing the spike of cases in Assam.”

“It’s not that we are not welcoming the visitors to our state but not at this time when COVID cases are rising day by day. As of now, the government cannot allow people to visit Meghalaya, and the Dorbar Shnongs and citizens of the state have all expressed their concerns,” he said.

“Many must have wanted to visit Meghalaya perhaps because the state has less positive COVID-19 cases, but we appeal to all to avoid coming in as tourists, relatives, and friends at this point in time,” he iterated.

Further, Tynsong also informed that during a review meeting today, the Chief Secretary M.S.Rao was instructed to further strengthen all entry exit points and put in more restrictions.

State health secretary also held meeting with various paramilitary forces and sought their cooperation in ensuring that their relatives do not come to the state at this point, but co-operate with the government in the fight against COVID-19, he informed.