Meghalaya government declares 5-day lockdown to prevent spread of COVID-19

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 23, 2020

The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA)-led government has declared a five-day lockdown in the entire state to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease).

The decision was announced by the deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong after a meeting chaired by the chief minister Conrad K Sangma here on Monday, a day after the nationwide public curfew was observed by the citizens of the state.

Earlier, the state has also witnessed total shutdown to observe the coronavirus awareness day (CAD) on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tynsong said, “The state government has decided to declare a lockdown starting from tonight itself.”

He said the lockdown will continue on March 24 and March 25 and then from March 27 to March 29 respectively.

“We thanked the citizens of Meghalaya for having cooperated with the requests made by Centre and state governments where self-isolation was observed in totality. I further requested all citizens to cooperate with the arrangement made by the government,” Tynsong appealed.

Operations of all markets, commercial and financial establishments, all forms of public transport will be closed while assembly or gathering of five or more persons in all public areas, premises, commercial and residential localities beyond the individual households will not be permitted.

All government offices will also be closed and inter-district private transport will also be disallowed during the lockdown period.

The deputy chief minister also announced shutting down of Iewduh market in the heart of the city from tomorrow till further orders while informing that citizens will be allowed to buy their essential commodities on March 26.

He said vegetable markets will be temporary established at different locations which include Anjalee, Lad Smit, Upper Shillong and Mawlai area.

“This is done to ease the rush of our people during the lean time that we granted to citizens to buy essential commodities,” he said.

According to him, government offices will also function with overall 30 percent strength on March 26.

Within Shillong city, private transport will be restricted to number plates. Only odd number vehicles will be allowed to ply on March 24, even numbers on March 25, odd number – March 26, even number – March 27, odd number – March 28 and even number – March 29.

This order will not be applicable to security forces and medical teams on duty, pharmacies and all essential services including health services, MeECL, PHE, PWD, police and armed forces, fire & emergency service, food & civil supply department, SMB, telecom, telegraph & IT services, banks and ATMs.

Movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities, security forces, medical equipments & goods vehicles are also exempted, Tynsong said adding however, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols.

Asked, the deputy chief minister said that the banks and other financial institutions have been asked to open from 10 am to 2 pm everyday and their functions have been restricted to cash deposit and withdrawal, ATM replacement, government transaction, clearing of cheques.