Schools in Shillong to remain shut for 14 days, entry of outside tourists restricted: Govt

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 19, 2021

The Meghalaya government on Monday announced its decision to shut down all schools in the state capital from April 20 to May 4.

“We have decided that all schools (from pre primary to class XII) will remain closed from tomorrow for the next 14 days which means the schools will reopen on May 4,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters after reviewing the COVID situation in the state.

“This will be applicable to Shillong area. This is not for the rest of the state because the spike of the cases almost 80% are in Shillong. In other districts of the state, government is still reviewing the situation,” he said.

However, he said the class X and XII board examinations will continue as neccesary arrangements have been made to ensure safety of students

The CM also said that the government has also decided to restrict entry of tourists coming from outside Meghalaya from April 23.

“This will be applicable in the next 14 days. However, local tourists will still be able to visit some of the tourist destinations. We are giving the liberty to the deputy commissioners to decide certain tourist locations which could be very very crowded to ensure crowding doesn’t take place. We will again review the situation after 14 days,” he said.

Sangma said there will be closures of tourist destinations where there are a lot of gatherings for example like Golflink which is difficult to control in the absence of boundary and fencing. Whereas places like Ward’s Lake it is easier to control. “We will ensure places where we can’t control the crowd are closed down,’ he said.

The meeting also decided that private offices should function at 50% capacity. Those who can should work from home.

Similarly in government offices, we will minimize the strength of the employees to a large extent.

Banks, Post office and other essential services will function normally in full capacity

Shops and other agencies will also continue as normal but if protocols are not followed then closure notices will be given to individual shops also.

There will also be discussion with other association to ensure that proper messaging is given to the shop keepers and their customers to ensure that protocols are maintained.
“We will be reviewing the situation in the next seven days and further decide how to move forward,” he said

Restaurants, hotels and eateries can function with 50% capacity. This will be strictly monitored but we do encourage takeaways by the restaurants instead of allowing people to sit and open their masks.

Roadside markets will be allowed to open so that the crowd can be scattered.

Public gathering will be stopped for the next 14 days. Exception is given to weddings and other social gatherings with due permission from the deputy commissioners.

Restriction will also be put in for funerals.