Antigen test for COVID-19 will no longer be free in Meghalaya
SHILLONG
The COVID-19 tests in Meghalaya will no longer be free but will be on a payment basis starting October 16, informed Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong here on Tuesday.
"We have decided to charge Rs 500 for the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and Rs 3200 for the RT-PCR, CB-NAAT and TRUENAT test. We will be issuing the notification in this connection by tonight (Oct 6)," Tynsong told reporters here today.
According to him, the government has decided to make it mandatory for all individuals, who are permanent citizens of the State or who have come for business purposes, to do the RAT at the entry points adding that they will have to pay Rs 500 per person for the antigen test.
Tynsong further informed that anyone who wishes to do the RT-PCR, CB-NAAT and TRUENAT test will have to pay Rs 3200 per test.
He, however, clarified that the families belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and who possess BPL cards, will not have to pay for the test.
High-risk contacts will not be charged as they are being monitored by the district surveillance team.
When asked if people can use the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) card for the COVID-19 test, he said that the MHIS card does not cover for the COVID-19 testing.
"People can use the MHIS card once they are admitted and receiving treatment in the hospital," added Tynsong.
Tynsong further informed that people who want to do RT-PCR, CB-NAAT and TRUENAT test can visit Pasteur Institute, Civil Hospital Nongpoh, Civil Hospital Tura, Community Health Centre (CHC) Resubelpara, Civil Hospital Nongstoin, Civil Hospital Baghmara, Civil Hospital Williamnagar, Civil Hospital Ampati, CHC Mawkyrwat, Nazareth Hospital, Bethany Hospital and H.G. Roberts Hospital.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that people will now have to pay for the food at the Corona Care Centres adding that they will also be allowed to bring food from their homes.
"We have asked the Deputy Commissioners to finalise on the rate per person for the fooding to be provided in the Corona Care Centres," Tynsong added.
