Meghalaya public, hoteliers & cab drivers in tight situation

Active COVID cases as on date: 180

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya hoteliers and commercial transporters are in a tight situation following the new restrictions issued by the authorities to curb the spike in COVID-19 cases across the State in general and the most-affected East Khasi Hills district in particular. Sharing their concerns about the spike in COVID cases in the State as well as the possibililty of a downslide in their business activities, they said, ''The new SOPs are bound to hit us hard in the days to come.''

One of the basic directives has made RT-PCR tests mandatory for people entering the State. Besides, tourist spots in East Khasi Hills are being closed till April 30.

The secretary of 'Federation of Shillong Hotels', Anol Lanong told The Sentinel on Thursday that the hotel and transport industry will be in a bad shape if the restrictions persist.

"We were just recovering from the glut following the COVID-19 situation in the early part this year; when the present restrictions have come in. We are going to face a bleak future in the months ahead," stated Lanong, while adding, ''most of the hotels are without any bookings for the next 10 days.''

The hoteliers fear that if Assam is hit hard by the second wave of COVID, the future of of Tourism industry in the State will be hit hard.

One of the Taxi drivers said, "During the recent lockdown and also the post- lockdown phase and the subsequent relaxation of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), we were even hesitant to go outside the State. Now with the second wave of COVID-19 and the new restrictions in place, taxi drivers will not be able to proceed to the airport or railway station in Guwahati to fetch the inbound passengers.''

He further said that most of the taxi drivers even sold off their vehicles because they could not even manage to pay the 'Equated Monthly Installment' (EMI) since the lockdown.

Another fear hounding the public is that the State may again face fresh lockdown. Most of them based their apprehension on the statement of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong that the COVID surge in the State is slowly reaching an alarming situation.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma held a review meeting with the seven MLAs of East Khasi Hills and solicited their views to arrest the spread of Coronavirus that has taken a sudden surge in the district.

As on Thursday, the State has 180 COVID-19 cases.

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