Activities permitted in East Jaintia Hills District

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 9, 2020

The District Magistrate, East Jaintia Hills District informs the general public that in compliance to order of the Government of Meghalaya in Political Department. All shops operating from fixed premises will open from 9.00 AM to 4 P.M in East Jaintia Hills District.

The order states that barber shops, beauty parlour, salons, spa and other similar rejuvenating centers, cyber café, gaming parlours, jackpot parlours, teer counter and lottery counter shall remain closed, till further orders.  Additionally, gaming arcades, children play areas, cinema hall inside shopping complex and shall also remain closed. Restaurants and food stall shall only operate for takeaways and home deliveries, an undertaking for due compliance shall be submitted to the undersigned.

The order also issues instructions for shopping malls and complexes which states that alternate shops on rotation basis will open in Shopping Malls and Complexes. They shall strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedure to contain the spread of COVID-19 issued by Government of India in Ministry of Health and Family welfare. The owner of the shopping mall, complex and the respective shopkeepers shall strictly adhere to the alternate opening of shops on rotation basis, they shall also compulsorily comply to SOP of government and instruction from the office of the District Magistrate failing which, the concerned shop or  shopping mall and complexes will be closed down followed by legal action. Furthermore, no loitering is allowed in the shopping mall, complex, only customers shall enter to make purchase and exist immediately thereafter without fail. The incident commander, Police Headman, owner of the shopping mall, complex and respective shopkeepers will decide on the alternative opening of shops on rotation basis.

Other establishments and services that are also permitted to open are pharmacies, labs, private and public clinics, veterinary clinics, dispensaries, petrol pumps, home delivery, takeaway of food, mobile car repairing service consisting of two technicians and mechanics, services provided by self-employed persons electrician, repairs plumbers motor mechanics and carpenters, courier service and e-commerce operation for all goods and common services centers. 

The order also permits all construction works in rural areas but they should obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the District Magistrate. While in urban areas only in situ construction ( where workers are available on site or workers, labourers , supervisors etc working in the construction site coming from their residence within the same district and no workers are required to be brought from outside) and construction of renewable energy projects. They shall obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the District Magistrate.

Private office establishment should operate with 33 % employee strength and they should also obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the District Magistrate and mandatorily comply to the National Directive, Sops of Government of India for COVID-19 Management and to all Advisories of Health & Family Welfare Department.  In addition, they should strictly follow the standard operation procedures on preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in office and work place.

Also permitted in the District are operations of notified weighbridge to facilitate checking of loaded vehicles and non- contact sports excluding gymnasium however, they should obtain permission and submit an Undertaking to the undersigned. Furthermore, 50% of private and public transport will operate in East Jaintia Hills District as per the office order notified earlier. Inter- district movement of persons is permitted. Whereas, inter – state movement of   persons will continue to be restricted.

The District Magistrate also stated that commercial activities that have submitted undertakings to the office of the District Magistrate shall open daily in East Jaintia Hills District. These activities include food processing units in rural area including rice mills and mustard oil processing in rural areas, brick kilns in rural areas, industrial units, cement plants will operate at 100% capacity, mining of Limestone and boulders by lease-holder for domestic sale in the state or country. Export outside the country is permitted only through automated elevated convey or belt with no human intervention, quarrying of chips and aggregated including their transportation. Permission has also been giving for operation of all agriculture and allied sectors activities like farming operations include livestock farming, Poultry Fishery and hatcheries collection, processing and distribution of milk and milk product, procurement and marketing of agriculture produce, custom hiring centres, cold storage and warehouses, manufacturing packaging and distribution of agriculture inputs, seed, animal feed and fodder movement of harvesting and sowing related machines and implements. Transportation of all agricultural products and operation of tea Industry including plantation for production processing packaging and marketing is also permitted.  

MGNREGA works are also allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and wearing face mask. Further, the order also permits opening of tea stall only in rural area barring those along the National Highway, undertaking may be submitted to the respective Block Development Officers. Any tea stall found violating social distancing norms shall be closed.

Operation of permitted establishment services agricultural, industrial and commercial activities both in urban and rural area shall strictly adhere to the prescribed standard operating procedure (sop) of government and mandatory compliance to the advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department without fail.

The Local Headman in coordination with District Police will regulate the operation of the shops, services  and commercial establishments in their respective localities and villages and also to ensure due compliance to the Advisories of Government in the Health & Family Welfare Department with special and strict reference to Social Distancing concerning the COVID-19 situation.

In addition, the public are requested to strictly, maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, not to overcrowd in one area or shop, to wear mask and not to spit in public places. The public should cooperate with the arrangement made by the District Administration, District police and the Local Headman.