Total lockdown brings life to a standstill in East Khasi Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 6, 2021

Normal life came to a standstill in East Khasi Hills district on Thursday which is the first day of the total lockdown clamped by the state government in the wake of the spike in COVID-19 cases.

The total lockdown, which came into force from 8 pm on Wednesday, will continue till 5 am on May 10.

East Khasi Hills district is the most affected as the number of new COVID-19 positive cases increased everyday.

The state capital wore a deserted look as the general public remained indoors and vehicles were off the roads except for emergency and essential services.

Barring pharmacy shops, business and trading activities came to a grinding halt all over the state capital as commercial establishments remained shut adhering to the state government’s directive.

Security was stepped up across the district to ensure that the state government’s directive was complied with by the general public, traders and other sections of the society and to maintain law and order.

Teams of men and officers who were positioned at key points in and around the city stopped vehicles which were found moving to ascertain the reason for venturing out, besides imposing fines for violating the government’s directive.

The state government has banned inter-state movement of people during the lockdown period. Inter-district movement of persons from and to East Khasi Hills was also restricted.

MBoSE examinations scheduled for May 6 and 7 in the state are postponed to May 11 and 12.

Exemption is granted to health services including vaccination of people above 45 years, essential services, movement of essential goods, print and electronic media.

Earlier, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had stated that the next few days will be crucial for the state government as he requested the citizens of the state for their cooperation to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic does not spread any further.

He said the number of active cases has breached 2,000 of which Shillong is having a positivity rate of 17 percent while East Khasi Hills has a positivity rate of 12 percent.

In Shillong, the total number of occupancy in terms of bed capacity has reached 60 percent, he said adding “We are looking at a very serious situation and therefore, a number of other steps will be taken to contain the situation.”

Meanwhile, the state government has also decided to impose weekend lockdown in the other 10 districts of the state to prevent further spread of the virus.