Night Curfew promulgated in East Khasi Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 16, 2020

The District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 15^th August, 2020 under Section 144 of the CrPC has promulgated night curfew in East Khasi Hills District with effect from 17th August, 2020 up to 24^th August 2020, only for timings falling between 09:00 PM to 5:00 AM each day.

“The decision was to put in place preventive and mitigation measures, to identify and take more stringent steps so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of rigorous contact tracing, testing, quarantine, isolation and ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department,” the order said.

The District Magistrate said that the order will not apply to Security Forces, Medical Teams on duty, Wholesale and Retail Pharmacies, Police and Armed Forces, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies Department, FCI, PWD, PHE, Shillong Municipal Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Petrol Pumps including Indian Oil Corporation, essential services including Health Services, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary clinics, labs, online/home food delivery. However, home delivery of food shall be exempted only upto 10:00 PM. Authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health & Family Welfare Department, Government officials on duty, officers and staff of Corona Care Centres, Information & Public Relations Department and National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL).

These services shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, limiting of field staff to the barest minimum and other advisories of Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail.

Movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipments and shops for repair of trucks on highways are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols.

However, exemption granted to official and non official emergency and essential services, establishments and agencies will not extend to the containment areas.

Curfew passes for timings falling between 09:00 PM to 5:00 AM with effect from 17^th August, 2020 upto 24^th August, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.