Curfew extended to 4th May in COVID’s Hotspot district

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 26, 2020

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive measuros and awareness, to identify and take more stringent steps to ensure social distancing so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate. East Khasi Hills District has under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 prohibited assembly or gathering of five or more persons in public area and premises beyond the individual households, operation of public and private transport, operation of major markets and commercial establishments, moving m public places without a Mask and spitting in public places in the areas of Mylliem Block (beyond 7Mile), Mawlai (apart from Census Town area), Mawpat (apart irom Census Town area), Mawphlang, Sohiong, Mawsynram, Mawkynrew, Mawryngkneng. Laitkroh-Khatarshnong, Pynurska and Shella-Bholaganj Blocks, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions.

This Order shall come into force with effect from 6:00 AM of 26″ April, 2020 up to 6:00 AM of 4″ May, 2020.

The District Magistrate said that the Order will not apply to Sccurity Forces, Medical Teams on duty, Wholesale and Retail Pharmacies, Police and Armed Forces, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies Department, FCI, PWD, PHE, AH & Veterinary Department and Meghalaya Directorate of Dairy Development, Shillong Municipal Board, Sanitization Division of Shillong Cantonment Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media. Banks. ATMs and Treasuries, Petrol Pumps, essential services including Health Services, home delivery of LPG Cylinders and essential/household items, online Food delivery, online services delivery, courier services, authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health & Family Welfare Department, Government Official on Duty.

Operations of fishing (marine), aquaculture industry, including feeding and maintenance, harvesting, processing. packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing. hatcheries, feed plants, commercial aquaria, movement of fish/shrimp and fish products, fish seed/feed and workers for all these activities are allowed. Further, industries/industrial establishments (both government and private) namely food processing industries, bricks, kilns in rural areas i.e. outside the limits of Municipal Corporation and Municipalities including rice mills and mustard oil processing are allowed.

The order also stated that all agriculure 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, custom hiring centers, cold storage and warehouses, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of agriculture inputs, seed, animal feed and fodder, movement of harvesting and sowing related machines, implements are also allowed.

Operation of Tea industry including plantations with maximum 509% of workforce for production, processing, packaging and marketing and transportation of all agricultural products subject to transit point and route specified by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District considering prevailing COVID-19 situation are allowed. Veterinary hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, sale and supply of medicines and vaccines are permitted to operate.

MNREGA works are allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask and priority is to be given to imigation and water conservation works.

Construction activities like construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and all kinds of industrial projects including MSMEs in rural areas, i.e. outside the limits of Municipal Corporations and Municipalities and all kinds of projects in industrial estates are also allowed. Also, quarrying of chips and aggregates including their transportation, hardware stores for providing items like CGI sheets, cements etc that are used for construction including transportation of the same and electrical shops are also allowed.

However, industries/industrial establishments (both government and private) namely food processing industries, bricks, kilns in rural areas i.e. outside the limits of Municipal Corporation and Municipalities including rice mills and mustard oil processing, operation of Tea industry including plantations with maximum 50% of workforce for production, processing, packaging and marketing, construction activities like construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and all kinds of industrial projects including MSMEs in rural areas, i.e. outside the limits of Municipal Corporations and Municipalities and all kinds of projects in industrial estates, quarrying of chips and aggregates including their transportation, hardware stores for providing items like CGI sheets, cements etc that are used for construction including transportation of the same and electrical shops will not be applicable to Mylliem C&RD Block stated the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District

These Services shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, disinfection and other advisories of the Government in the Health Department, without fail.

Also movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities, security torces, medical equipments and goods vehicles are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols.

The District Magistrate has also informed that the Order will not affect the arrangement of Fair Price Shops, identified wholesale traders, local retailers, Rural Hardware Retailer, Commercial and Private establishments including groceries and essential shops, vegetables, fruits, meat and confectionery shops allowed shall open as per schedule which will be released from time to time.

Rangbah Shnongs in coordination with the District Police will regulate the operation of the shops in their respective villages and also to ensure due compliance to the Advisories of the Govemment in the Health and Family Welfare Department with special and strict reference to Social Distancing conceming the cOVID-19 situation.

In addition, the public are to strictly maintain Social Distancing of at least I metre, not to overcrowd in one area or shop and to comply with management made by the District Administration, District Police and Rangbah Shnong. Pass can be obtained via online application at https://www.eastkhasihills.gov.in/. MIPR