COVID-19: Section 144 to continue in West Jaintia Hills, till further order

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 13, 2020

The District Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai in an order issued has imposed prohibitory order under Section 144Cr.P.C in the entire District including Amlarem (Civil) Sub-Division, Thadlaskein Block and Laskein Block from 12^th October, 2020 until further order.

The timing falling between 5.00 AM to 10.00 PM each day to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

According to orders, the District Magistrate banned any assembly or gathering without due permission. The order prohibited operation of Border Haats and markets located in the interstate Borders

The order prohibits operation of cinema Halls, swimming pools, Entertainment Park, theatres, bars, auditorium, Assembly halls and similar recreational places are not allowed.

Any gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment academic, cultural and religious functions is also prohibited.

Every individual moving in public and workplaces should wear a face mask, should not consume liquor, pan, gutka, tobacco and spit in public places and to strictly adhere to the various protocols and advisories of the Government.

In addition, the District Magistrate has directed the public to strictly follow social distancing and maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet or 2 metres in public places.

Funeral and Last rites related gatherings should not exceed 20 (twenty).
Wedding ceremonies will be allowed in religious places of worship and the number of guests shall not exceed one-third of the seating capacity or 50 (fifty) guests, whichever is less inclusive of the host and the Authority/s presiding over the wedding. However, wedding reception is suspended, till further orders.

Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years in public places are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

Supply chains/wholesalers and retailers, outlets, shops, services and other establishments in the whole of West Jaintia Hills District are allowed to open from 9.00 AM to 7.00 PM. However, weekly markets like Musiang, Pynkat, Khyllaw and Pynsin at Iawmusiang, Jowai and Iawpynsin, Wahiajer respectively, odd and even numbers shall apply.

All Permitted shops, Services, establishments, agricultural industrial and commercial activities operating and functioning are to strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) and National Directives of Government for COVID-19 Management in Public Places and Work Places including mandatory compliance to the Advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. The owners and employers are to make sure that all their employees install the Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioral Change Management App.

The District Magistrate has also directed the residents of the District to install Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioural Change Management App and to regularly update health status on the apps for containment of COVID-19 pandemic.
Yoga institutes and Gymnasiums are allowed to operate with permission from the Deputy Commissioner and are to duly comply with SOP issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. 

Cyber café are allowed to resume on permission obtained from the Deputy Commissioner and to duly comply with the SOPs issued by the Information Technology and Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya.

Operation of food, outlet, dhabas located along the national Highway subject to strict compliance with the SOP issued by the health and family welfare Department. However, those in containment area shall remain closed 

Opening of football training for sports clubs, associations allowed subject to strict compliance with the SOP issued by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department. Government of Meghalaya and with prior permission from the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills.

Odd and Even arrangements for plying of vehicles are withdrawn in the district.

However, 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.

Incoming additional workforce from outside the District except for  highly skilled, specialized professionals and technicians regulated by instruction of the Political Department, Government of Meghalaya followed SOPs of Labour Department and Health protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare department with due permission given on submission of undertaking to the Deputy Labour Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.

People/returnees to the District are directed to follow the testing, quarantine and discharge policy as per protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department.

Re-opening of Industrial Training Institutes subject to strict compliance with the SOP issued by the Directorate General of training, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India and to strictly adhere to the protocols of Health and Family Welfare Department. 

Re-opening of religious places, places of worship subject to strict compliance with the SOP issued by the Political Department.

Re-opening of Tourist spots, places in has been allowed in the district for tourists within Meghalaya, subject to strict compliance  with the SOP issued by the Tourism Department.

Movement of vehicles and other traffic arrangements will be prepared and regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Police, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai. 

The Additional Deputy Commissioner incharge (Civil) Amlarem Sub-Division, Block Development Officer, Thadlaskein and Laskein and District Heads in West Jaintia Hills District will issue vehicle passes only to their respective Officers and Staff specifically for official purposes and they are to ensure that the passes are utilized strictly for the specific purpose (Official) and any deviation will render the Issuing Authority and the employee/staff pass holder liable to legal action. Name, Address, contact, details, timings and purpose of the pass to be clearly reflected.

However, passes for all forms of outward inter-state movement from West Jaintia Hills District will be issued only by the District Magistrate.