Total lockdown throws normal life out of gear in Meghalaya’s EKH

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 20, 2021

Normal life was thrown out of gear as the ten-day total lockdown clamped by the state government to contain the spread of COVID-19 in East Khasi Hills District began on Thursday.

The total lockdown, which came into force from 8 pm on Wednesday, will continue till 5 am on May 31.

East Khasi Hills is the most affected district having a total of 3,755 active cases.

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.

Earlier, the state government had declared Shillong, the state capital and two major towns – Jowai, West Jaintia Hills and Tura, West Garo Hills – as containment for ten days from May 1.

This was later converted to partial lockdown from May 5 even as essential shops are allowed to operate during the period.

After seeing that there was no respite from the surge of COVID-19 cases, the government was left with no option but to impose a total lockdown.

The state government as well as the health experts has expressed optimism that the state will be able to see a decrease in the number of cases after the lockdown period.