As COVID19 positive cases are on the rise in Meghalaya, state chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said “COVID19 is here to stay and we need to adapt to the new normal”.

Meghalaya chief minister said this on the day when the total number of COVID19 positive cases increased to 377 in the state.

Out of the total positive cases, registered in Meghalaya so far, 247 are BSF and other armed forces’ personnel, and only 79 are other people.

In Meghalaya, the deadly disease has claimed the lives of two persons including a doctor of the state and an infant from Arunachal Pradesh.

“COVID19 is here to stay and we need to adapt to new normal. Moving forward, we need to have micro response systems & strategies in place to ensure micro management of any situation arising because of the virus. This needs to become a society-driven programme,” Sangma tweeted.

As the government continues to advise the people to wear masks, maintain social distancing and avoid gathering to contain the spread of COVID19, Sangma said: “Behaviour change and individual action is the key.”

The chief minister was present at a meeting called by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker.

The meeting was attended by the members of the ruling and opposition and State government officials to discuss the COVID19 situation in Meghalaya.

During the meeting, the chief minister appealed to the Assembly members to hold discussions with the headmen, community bodies and religious leaders in their respective constituencies to sensitize the public so that “we can accept this new normal and overcome this challenge”.

“Health will always be a priority and the safety of our people will always be at the top of our agenda,” chief minister Sangma said.

Meanwhile, chief minister Sangma on Thursday reportedly called for management of COVID19 situation at a micro level through “micro lockdowns” instead of going for total lockdown in the state or in Shillong.