Stern action against campaign of misinformation regarding efficacy of COVID vaccination

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 26, 2021

In compliance to the Order of the High Court of Meghalaya dated 23.06.2021 in PIL No. 6/2021 and guideline measures taken by the District for addressing the issue of Vaccine hesitancy for Covid-19 of Health & Family Welfare Department and in continuation to order No. GEN.253/COVID-19/ 2021/ 88, Dt. 19.6.2021, the District Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills in an Order issued on Friday 25th June, 2021 has ordered that All Shops and Establishments (Government and Private) should display prominently at a conspicuous place in front of their Shops/ Establishments clearly visible from a distance of 6 feet a signage “VACCINATED”, in the event all employees and staff of the concerned Shop and Establishment are vaccinated.

Similarly, all Shops and Establishments (Govt. and Private) should display prominently at a conspicuous place in front of their Shops/ Establishments clearly visible from a distance of 6 feet a signage ” NOT VACCINATED”, in the event of all employees and staff of the concerned Shops and Establishment are not vaccinated. In the event any Shop/ Establishment flouts the above direction, the Superintendent of Police/ Executive Magistrate or authorised Police Officer shall immediately direct its closure.

All public transport (Local Taxi/ Auto Rickshaw/ Maxi Cab/ Buses) should prominently display clearly a visible signage on the windshield “VACCINATED” where the concerned Driver, Conductor and Helper are vaccinated.

Similarly, all public transport (Local Taxi/ Auto Rickshaw/ Maxi Cab/ Buses) should prominently display clearly visible signage on the windshield “NOT VACCINATED” in the event the concerned Driver, Conductor and Helper are not vaccinated. In the event any Local Taxi, Auto Rickshaw, Maxi Cab and Buses flouts the above direction, the Superintendent of Police/ Executive Magistrate or authorised Police Officer shall immediately direct stoppage of plying.

All Vendors who have been allotted a space by the concerned Market Committee/ Dorbar Shnong/ Jowai Municipal Board for selling of vegetables, fruits etc. as permitted should mandatorily possess a Certificate issued by the Headman indicating therein Name, Age, Address, Mobile Number and status of vaccination (Either ” Vaccinated” or ” Not Vaccinated”) as the case may be.

It is mandatory for such Shops, Establishments and individual vendors who choose not to vaccinate themselves they should get themselves RTPCR tested once in every ten days so as to encourage the exercise and social responsibility to contribute to the safety of the society.

It has been made mandatory to test all individuals who are found to be in High Risk Contact by the Sector Magistrates/ Block Development Officers/ Medical Officers/ Police Officers and such persons should get themselves RTPCR tested so that the spread of the disease could be contained and lives can be saved as laid down in the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases Covid-19 (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2021 vide Notification No. Health.68/ 2020/ 95, DL, 23.6.2021.

The respective CCMTs and Contact Tracing Teams are to be vigilant to those business establishments who have not been vaccinated for a test so that contact tracing can be done.

In the event there is any attempt made by any person/ Organization to spread misinformation regarding efficacy of vaccination amongst the people of this state the Superintendent of Police/ Incident Commanders/ Sector Magistrates/ Block Development Officers shall immediately step in and proceed against such person/ Organization in accordance with the law. The concerned authorised Police Officer/ Executive Magistrate shall bring such instance to the notice of the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya. 

In addition, person/ Organization found forwarding Messages of misinformation regarding efficacy of vaccination shall be booked in accordance with the  law. Opening of Shops, Establishments and Movement of Public Transport shall remain as per the regulation given by the Deputy Commissioner’s office through Orders from time to time.

This Order wil come into force from midnight of 30 June, 2021 and until further Orders.