COVID-19: Prohibitory orders imposed in West Jaintia Hills
To put in place preventive measures and to take stringent steps to ensure social distancing so the pandemic of COVID-19 does not spread to West Jaintia Hills District and Meghalaya, by way of ensuring observance of strict protocols of the Advisories issued by Government of Meghalaya in the Health & Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai in an order issued on 11th July, 2020 has under section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations 2020 has imposed prohibitory order in the entire of West Jaintia Hills District including Amlarem (Civil) Sub-Division, Thadlaskein Block and Laskein Block with effect from 12th July, 2020 until further order from 5.00 AM to 9.00 PM each day.
The order prohibits Inter-State movement of persons, operation of Hostels and Hospitality services other than those used as quarantine facilities and housing of returnees stranded persons and tourist, operation of tourist spots, operation of Gyms and Playground of all forms of contact sports and spectators, opening of religious places or places of worship of all faiths to the public including religious congregation. All forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment academic, cultural etc. Moving in public and workplaces without wearing face Mask, movement of persons above 65 years of age person with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of years in public places, beyond individual households except for meeting essential requirement and for health purpose. Spitting, consumption of liquor, Pan, gutka, tobacco etc and occupying of public places by unauthorised street vendors, hawkers has also been prohibited.
The order also prohibits indulging in or resorting to the act of poisoning and use of dynamite in rivers, streams or any other water bodies with the explicit or implicit intention to cause widespread/large scale destruction of aquatic life within the District.
The District Magistrate said that the order will not apply to Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and Medical Clinics however they are to maintain the Social Distancing norms and other safety precautions. Security Forces, Medical Teams on duty, Wholesale & Retail Pharmacies, Police and Armed Forces, Fire & Emergency Service, MeECL and Power Grid, Food & Civil Supplies Department and FCI, Jowai Municipal Board, Telecom, Communications & IT Services and Common Service Centre (CSC), Print and Electronic Media, Government Officials on Duty, Banks & Treasuries, PHE, AH & Veterinary, Agriculture & Horticulture, C&RD and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).
Senior Citizens who are above the age of 60 years are exempted from obtaining PASSES and CURFEW PASSES but they are to carry their valid photo ID card along with them as proof of age while they travel. Inter-State movement of people with Inter-State Transit passes issued by the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills
The order also allowed all Fair Price Shops under NFSA and NON-NFSA to open every day from 12th July, 2020 from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Inter- State movement of people with Inter-State TRANSIT PASS issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Jowai
List of Commercial and private establishments allowed to open:
Shops dealing in Essential Goods and other standalone (single shop) in residential areas identified by concerned headman of the localities are allowed to open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Courier services for essential goods, E-Commerce operations in Essential Goods.
Workshops for repair of trucks on highways and maintenance of vehicles in rural areas identified by Headmen of the area.
Hardware stores providing items like CGI Sheets, Cement etc, Electrical Shops identified by Headman of concerned localities are allowed to operate from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM .
Workshops for maintenance of Vehicles within Jowai Municipal area identified by the District Transport Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.
Package drinking water and juices identified by respective Headmen.
Shops that sell, repair and service Mobile Phone, Computer, Accessories as well as Mobile Phone Recharging Centre identified by respective Headmen are also allowed to open.
Dry Fish or processed fish including tungtap and smoke fish identified by Headmen are allowed to open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Stand-alone Automobiles Repairing Shops for repairing works of vehicles.
Mobile Car Repairing Services consisting of a driver and 2 technicians or mechanics.
Lay-bye Market at Ialong from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Stationery Shops, Shoe Shops identified by respective Headmen are allowed to open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Home Delivery for Books is also permitted.
Tea Stall in Rural Areas under C&RD Block Amlarem, Thadlaskein and Laskein identified by the respective Headmen are allowed to open from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM from Monday to Saturday. However, all Tea Stalls located along the National Highways in Rural Areas are not allowed to open
Dry Clean shops, Textile Shops in Urban Areas identified by respective Headmen allowed to open from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM from Monday to Saturday.
Kitchen Utensils shops, Household Electronics, Automobile showrooms, Fishing goods,Toys, School items, Umbrella, Rain Coat, Tarpaulin, Torchlight, Teer Counter from fixed premises identified by the respective Headman are allowed to open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM, with 50% manpower and sanitized their shop.
Operation of Private office establishment with 33% employee strength
Standalone shopping Malls are allowed to open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 Am to 6.00 PM and they are to follow strictly the Standard Operating procedure issued by the Government of India Ministry of Health and family welfare.
Opening of barber shops, salons and beauty parlour from Monday to Saturday 7am to 6 Pm and to strictly follow the Health Protocol
Restaurants/ Cafes /Food Outlet excluding those located along the National Highways are allowed to open from Monday to Saturday from 9. 00 Am to 6.00 Pm and to strictly comply with the protocol issued by Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya.
Opening of Hotels in the District with effect from 1st July, 2020 subject to permission obtained from the Deputy Commissioner.
Weekly markets in West Jaintia Hills District including shops in Iawmusiang area except Border Hats and Markets located in the Inter-State Borders are allowed to open on alternate days as schedule from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM
| Sl. No | Days | Shop/Stalls to open |
| 1. | Monday | Only shops/stalls with Odd number |
| 2. | Tuesday | Only shops/stalls with Even number |
| 3. | Wednesday | Only Shops/Stalls with Odd number |
| 4. | Thursday | Only shops/stalls with Even number |
| 5. | Friday | Only shops/stalls with Odd number |
| 6. | Saturday | Only shops/stalls with Even number |
Industries and Industrial Establishments both Government and Private that are allowed to function-
Food processing industries in rural areas outside the limits of Municipal Corporations and municipalities including rice mills and mustard oil processing. Bricks kilns in rural areas outside the limits of Municipal Corporations and Municipalities. Industrial Units as identified by General Manager, District Commerce & Industries Centre, Jowai.
Mining of limestone and boulder by lease-holders for domestic sale within the State or the Country. Export outside the Country is permitted only through automated, elevated conveyor belt with no human intervention.
· Quarrying of chips, aggregates and sand extracted from legal sources (under MMMCR 2016) and crushed in approved stone crusher unit are allowed for transportation for construction works within the District with PASSES to be issued by the Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial) West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai. The above permission for commencement of operations is subject to adherence to guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to be checked and certified by the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District. All those who wish to commence industrial/mining/quarrying activities should submit an undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District confirming adherence to the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs and protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya before the commencement of operations. Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District shall ensure strict compliance to these guidelines through periodic inspections and submit reports to the concerned Departments and ensure that SOPs for social distancing as per the MHA Orders are in place and followed.
· The order has allowed construction Activities in all Urban Areas: In-situ construction as per Government order, “In-situ worker” that includes workers, labourers, supervisors, contractors, etc. working in the construction site coming from their residence within West Jaintia Hills District. The above permission for commencement of operations is subject to adherence to guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to be checked and certified by the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District. All those who wish to commence construction activities should submit an undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District confirming adherence to the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs and protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya before the commencement of operations. Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District shall ensure strict compliance to these guidelines through periodic inspections and submit reports to the concerned Departments and ensure that SOPs for social distancing as per the MHA Orders are in place and followed. In Rural Areas all construction activities are allowed.
· All agriculture and allied sectors activities like farming operations including livestock farming, Poultry, Fishery and Hatcheries, collection, processing and distribution of milk and milk products, mandis by APMC, procurement and marketing of agricultural produce, 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.
· Authorized Car Wash Units who have renewed Environment Clearance from Meghalaya State Pollution Control Broad, Shillong are also allowed to operate.
· Manufacturing, Transportation and marketing of Agriculture and Horticulture Tools and implements e.g. Spade, Dao, Basket, Watering Can , Khurpi, Spade Handle, Fork identified by District Agriculture Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.
· Operation of Tea industry including plantation with maximum 50% of workforce for production, processing, packaging and marketing.
· Veterinary Hospitals, Dispensaries, Clinics, sale and supply of medicine and vaccines.
· MNREGA works are allowed with strict implementation of Social Distancing and wearing of face masks as per detail guidelines issued by C&RD Department.
· Movement of Vehicles carrying Essential Commodities, LPG Cylinders, Security Forces,Medical Equipment along the National Highway. However, Drivers and Attendants of the Vehicles shall be subjected to medical screening as per laid down protocol.
· The order has also permitted 50 % Public Transport and 50 % private vehicles to operate within the District on rotation basis with a 50 % seating capacity.
Vehicle with odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) are allowed to ply on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Vehicle with even number (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. On Sunday only private vehicles both odd and even are allowed to ply on road.
The order has further stated that maximum number of persons allowed to be carried by different categories of public and private transport in the District is as follows: For Bus total seating capacity is 50% , SUV including Sumo and Maxi Cab 4 persons excluding driver, Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) 2 persons excluding the driver, Auto-rickshaw 1 (One) person excluding the driver, Two-wheeler 1 (One) pillion rider restricted only to female or child below the age of 12 years of the same household.
However, all Government Vehicles (both State and Central), Private Vehicles of Government Officials on duty with Pass issued by respective heads of Department. Vehicles carrying Essential Services as: Medical Teams on duty, Fire & Emergency duty, Me.ECL, Power Grid and NEEPCO, Public Works Department (PWD, ) Public Health Engineering Department (PHE), Food & Civil Supply Department including FCI, Jowai Municipal Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT, Press, Print & Electronic Media and Banks are exempted from the purview of Odd and Even arrangement
In addition, the District Magistrate has instructed the public to strictly Maintain Social Distancing of at least 1 meter (6 ft), not to overcrowd in one area/shop, to wear face mask, not to spit in public places, to cooperate with the arrangement made by the District Administration, District Police and Headman and to comply to conditions laid down in the Prohibitory Order.
According to the order violation of any advisory will be punishable with fine under Section 51(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
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