COVID-19: Prohibitory order imposed in West Jaintia Hills from May 10

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 9, 2021

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, District Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills District, Garod LSN Dykes on Sunday imposed prohibitory orders in entire district.

The prohibitory orders will be effective 5.00 AM of 10th May, 2021 till further rrders.

The order was issued to put in place preventive measures and awareness, to identify and take stringent steps to ensure social distancing so the pandemic of COVID-19 does not spread to West Jaintia Hills District.

In his order, the District Magistrate banned all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural, religions functions etc.

All Educational Institutions in Jowai Town shall remain closed.

Vehicles transporting Whole Sale Vegetables are not allowed to enter the Markets in Jowai Town. Such vehicles shall download the goods at lalong Lay Bye Market which has been activated.

The Dorbar Shnong and School Managing Committees in Rural Areas in consultation with Health Officials are authorised to close the School if the need arises with intimation to the District School Education Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai and this Office.

All Transit Vehicles shall not be permitted to park in any inhabited Villages along the National Highway NH06 (old name NH-44) under the jurisdiction of West Jaintia Hills District. Meghalaya.

Entry of tourists from outside the State and from containment areas of the State shall not be permitted and all tourist spots shall remain closed.

Sport activities are not permitted.

Movement in public, work places, Shops and during transport without wearing of Masks. (Any violation shall attract a fine up to Rs.1000

Spitting in public places. Consumption of liquor, pan, gutka, tobacco etc_ in public places.

General instructions

In addition to the Prohibition listed above, the public shall strictly comply without fail to the measures listed below:-

Registration in the Meghalaya COVID-19 portal is mandatory for all returnees from outside Meghalaya on return to West Hills including residents via online at http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid/login.htm

This is also applicable for persons/returnees entering the State through Saphai. Tiehwieh (Sahsniang) Mukroh and Khanduli, Any person(s)/returnees found entering their villages without completing the test or without informing the concerned Headman/Authorities in advance will be viewed seriously and necessary, action will be taken against them as per law.

Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet/ 2 metres in public places.

Shops, Restaurants and Bars in West Jaintia Hills District to close by 9.00 PM.

To ensure maintenance of COVID Appropriate Behaviour by residents

All Hotels to insist for COVID Negative Certificate for those tourists arriving from outside the State

Seating to the permitted capacity only to be ensured in public transportation vehicles and mandatory wearing of face masks.

Maximum number of persons allowed during any religious/ social! Private gatherings/ is decreased to: –

• 50 persons or one-third the capacity; whichever is less for indoor venues.

• 100 persons or one-third the capacity; whichever is less for outdoor venues.

• Weddings are permitted subject to ceiling of 30 persons.

The Concerned parties should obtain prior permission from the Deputy Commissioner/Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) Amlarem and ensure that SOPs for social distancing are in place and strictly followed.

Funeral/last rites related gathering are permitted subject to ceiling of 30 persons and mandatory wearing of face masks. Bereaved family is requested to maintain a Register showing Name, Address and Mobile number of visitors.

For outdoor sports, spectators are permitted upto 100 persons or one-third the capacity; whichever is less. The concerned parties should obtain prior permission from the Deputy Commissioner/Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) Amlarem and ensure that SOPs for social distancing are in place and strictly followed.

Cinema halls to operate at one-third the seating capacity.

Places of worship may continue to function at 1/3rd (30%) of the seating capacity. However, they shall strictly adhere to the COVID-19 protocol.

Illegal hawkers/vendors are not allowed in the public footpath and road side which obstructs movement of people in Jowai Town.

Operation of Ïawthymme Market, Lad Stadium, Ladthalaboh, Jowai/ lawmusinng Pohiaw/ law Chor (CNI Market) /Sein Raij Market lawmusiang, Jowai/ lawchyiap (JPC Market) Chutwakhu, Jowai and weekly markets at lawpynsin (Wahiajer) lawmuchai (Shangpung), law Raliang, law Khanduli, law Namdong, law Muksoo (Mookaiaw).law Sahsniang and lawthymme (Saphai) are permitted to open with effect from 11 May, 2021 from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM with the following conditions and regulations:

The Secretary Market Committees to activate and make functional the Market Committees.

Compulsory Registration of Shops. Only shops which has been registered with the respective Market Committeces are allowed to open.

Selling of any kind of items is not allowed in the footpaths.

To appoint sufficient number of Officials/ Staff/ Volunteers to implement mandatory wearing of Masks and physical distancing.

Category of shops to open:

Even Number: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Odd Number: Tuesday and Thursday.

The respective Dorbar Shnong in West Jaintia Hills are encouraged to open small markets in their localities with strict regulations and conditions regarding appropriate COVID-19 behaviour.

Only eateries and saloons are allowed to entertain customers inside their shop. The number of Customers inside the shop should not be more than 50% of the seating capacity.

It is mandatory for all shopkeepers except eateries to create a barricade/boundary so as to ensure that customers do not enter their shops.

It is mandatory for all shopkeepers to provide Hand Sanitizers, Wash Basin and ensure maintenance of 6 feet distance among customers standing in queue as vell as staff members inside the shop.

All shopkeepers should not entertain any customer who doesn’t wear a mask.

Note: Failure to sirictly regulate and inplement the direction above shall result to closure of the shop/market without prior notice.

Shops for essential items and Hardware in Ummulong, lalong, Pasyih and 8th Mile on the National Highway- 06 (Old name NH.44) are allowed to open from Monday to Friday between 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM. The respective CCMC to strictly follow COVID-19 Behaviour using Odd/Even number for effective implementation of social distancing.

Note: Failure to strictly regulate and implement the direction above shall result to closure of the shop/market without prior notice.

Operation of Whole Sales of Vegetables at Lay Bye Market lalong. The lalong Lay Bye Market Committee shall lay down rules and regulations for implementing appropriate COVID-19 behaviour change.

State Govt. Offices shall function with limited staff.

It is observed that SOPs are not being followed strictly by all citizens. It may be noted that any complacency will lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Citizens are advised to exercise caution, follow all protocols and adhere to the SOPs to ensure that the State does not see a resurgence in cases.