Weekly market to resume trade in West Jaintia Hills
To put in place preventive measures and to take stringent steps to ensure social distancing so the pandemic of COVID-19 does not spread to West Jaintia Hills District and Meghalaya, by way of ensuring observance of strict protocols of the Advisories issued by Government of Meghalaya in the Health & Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai in an order issued on 27th June 2020 has under section 144 Cr. P.C. read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations 2020 has imposed prohibitory order in the entire of West Jaintia Hills District including Amlarem (Civil) Sub-Division, Thadlaskein Block and Laskein Block with effect from 28th June, 2020 until further order from 5.00 AM to 9.00 PM each day.
The District Magistrate in an order issued prohibits:
Inter-State movement of persons.
Any assembly whatsoever and while enforcing this every individual are to maintain social distance of at least 6 feet, to wear face, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow the various protocols and advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Operation of Hostels and Hospitality services other those used as quarantine facilities and housing of returnees stranded persons and tourist, opening of religious places or places of worship of all faiths to the public including religious congregation.
All forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment academic, cultural etc, moving in public and workplaces without a Mask, movement of persons above 65 years of age person with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10years in public places, beyond individual households except for meeting essential requirement and for health purpose.
Spitting in public places, Consumption of liquor, Pan, gutka, tobacco etc. in public places. Operation of tourist spots, Operation of Gyms and Playground.
Indulging in or resorting to, the act of poisoning and use of dynamite in rivers, streams or any other water bodies with the explicit or implicit intention to cause widespread/large scale destruction of aquatic life within the District and occupying of public places by unauthorized street vendors,hawkers has also been prohibited.
The District Magistrate said that the order will not apply to Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and Medical Clinics with Social Distancing norms and other safety precautions. Security Forces, Medical Teams on duty, Wholesale & Retail Pharmacies, Police and Armed Forces, Fire & Emergency Service, MeECL and Power Grid, Food & Civil Supplies Department and FCI, Jowai Municipal Board, Telecom, Communications & IT Services and Common Service Centre (CSC), Print and Electronic Media, Government Officials on Duty, Banks & Treasuries, PHE, AH & Veterinary, Agriculture & Horticulture, C&RD and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).
Senior Citizens who are above the age of 60 years are exempted from obtaining PASSES and CURFEW PASSES but they are to carry their valid photo ID card along with them as proof of age while they travel.
The order also allowed all Fair Price Shops under NFSA and NON-NFSA to open every day from 28th June, 2020 from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Inter- State movement of people with Inter-State TRANSIT PASS issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Jowai
List of Commercial and private establishments allowed to open:
Shops dealing in Essential Goods and other standalone (single shop) in residential areas identified by Headman of concerned localities for Wholesale on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM and Retail on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Courier services for essential goods, E-Commerce operations in Essential Goods, Services provided by self employed persons, e.g. Electrician, IT repairs, Plumbers, Motor Mechanics, and Carpenters within their individual households/workshops.
Workshops for repair of trucks on highways and maintenance of vehicles in rural areas identified by Headmen of the area.
Hardware stores identified by Headmen of concerned localities for providing items like CGI Sheets, Cement etc. that are used for construction including transportation of the same are allowed to operate on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Electrical Shops identified by the Headman of concerned localities are allowed to opened on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Workshops for maintenance of Vehicles within Jowai Municipal area identified by the District Transport Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.
Package drinking water and juices identified by respective Headmen.
Shops that sell, repair and service Mobile Phone, Computer, Accessories as well as Mobile Phone Recharging Centre identified by respective Headmen are also allowed to open.
Dry Fish or processed fish including tungtap and smoke fish identified by Headmen are allowed to open, for Wholesale on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and Retail on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Stand-alone Automobiles Repairing Shops for repairing works of vehicles.
Mobile Car Repairing Services consisting of a driver and 2 technicians or mechanics.
Lay-bye Market at Ialong is allowed to open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Stationery Shops identified by respective Headmen are allowed to open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for Wholesalers and Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for Retailers from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Home Delivery for Books is also permitted.
Shoe Shops identified by respective Headmen are allowed to open on Wednesday and Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
Restaurants, Cafes, Food Outlets, and Tea Shops are allowed to open and operate for home delivery and take away services only as recommended by the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, Office of the District Medical & Health Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.
The above permission for commencement of operations is subject to adherence to guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to be checked and certified by the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District. Owner or Proprietor who wish to commence Home Delivery and Take away Services should submit an undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District confirming adherence to the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs and protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya before the commencement of operations. Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District shall ensure strict compliance to these guidelines through periodic inspections and submit reports to the concerned Departments and ensure that SOPs for social distancing as per the Ministry of Home Affairs Orders are in place and followed.
Operation of Tea Stall in Rural Areas under C&RD Block Amlarem, Thadlaskein and Laskein, however, all Tea Stalls located along the National Highways in Rural Areas are not allowed to open.
Tea Stall in Rural Areas excluding those that are located along the National Highways as identified by the respective Headmen are allowed to open from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM from Monday to Saturday.
Dry Clean shops in Urban Areas allowed to open from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM from Monday to Saturday.
Textile Shops in Urban Areas identified by respective Headmen are allowed to open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6 .00 PM.
Opening and operating of Kitchen Utensils shops, Household Electronics, Automobile showrooms, Fishing goods, Toys, School items, Umbrella, Rain Coat, Tarpaulin, Torchlight, Teer Counter from fixed premises identified by the respective Headman are allowed to open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM, with 50% manpower and sanitized their shop.
Identified Kitchen Appliances Repair Services and Travel Agencies are allowed to open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM, however the Shop Owners are directed to maintain only 50 percent manpower and sanitized their shops.
Non-contact sports, e.g. Badminton, Table Tennis, Teer Operation etc. Operation of Private Office Establishments with 33 % employee-strength. Standalone shopping malls are allowed to opened and they are to flow strictly the standard Operating procedure issued by the Government of India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department,
Opening of barber shops, salons and beauty parlour Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 7am to 6 Pm and to strictly follow the Health Protocol
Opening of Restaurants/ Cafes /Food Outlet excluding those located along the National Highways are allowed to open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9. 00 Am to 6.00 Pm and are to strictly compliance with the protocol issued by Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya. Failure to compliance of the SOP shall result to closure of the shop without prior notice.
Opening of weekly markets in West Jaintia Hills District except Border Hats and Markets located in the Inter-State Borders are allowed to open on alternate days as schedule below with effect from 29.06.2020 from 9.00 AM to 6 PM subject to strict compliance of the Health Protocol for Markets issued by Health Department. Market COVID-19 management committee is requested to ensure strict compliance of the SOP by all concerned. Failure to strict compliance of the SOP shall result in immediate closure of the market or shops without prior notice.
| Sl. No | Days | Shop/Stalls to open |
| 1. | Monday | Only shops/stalls with Odd number |
| 2. | Tuesday | Only shops/stalls with Even number |
| 3. | Wednesday | Only Shops/Stalls with Odd number |
| 4. | Thursday | Only shops/stalls with Even number |
| 5. | Friday | Only shops/stalls with Odd number |
| 6. | Saturday | Only shops/stalls with Even number |
Industries and Industrial Establishments both Government and Private that are allowed to function-
Food processing industries in rural areas outside the limits of Municipal Corporations and municipalities including rice mills and mustard oil processing. Bricks kilns in rural areas outside the limits of Municipal Corporations and Municipalities. Industrial Units as identified by General Manager, District Commerce & Industries Centre, Jowai.
Mining of limestone and boulder by lease-holders for domestic sale within the State or the Country. Export outside the Country is permitted only through automated, elevated conveyor belt with no human intervention.
Quarrying of chips, aggregates and sand extracted from legal sources (under MMMCR 2016) and crushed in approved stone crusher unit are allowed for transportation for construction works within the District with PASSES to be issued by the Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial) West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.
The above permission for commencement of operations is subject to adherence to guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to be checked and certified by the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District. All those who wish to commence industrial/mining/quarrying activities should submit an undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District confirming adherence to the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs and protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya before the commencement of operations. Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District shall ensure strict compliance to these guidelines through periodic inspections and submit reports to the concerned Departments and ensure that SOPs for social distancing as per the MHA Orders are in place and followed.
The order has allowed construction Activities in all Urban Areas:
In-situ construction as per Government order, “In-situ worker” that includes workers, labourers, supervisors, contractors, etc. working in the construction site coming from their residence within West Jaintia Hills District.
The above permission for commencement of operations is subject to adherence to guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to be checked and certified by the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District. All those who wish to commence construction activities should submit an undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District confirming adherence to the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs and protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya before the commencement of operations. Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District shall ensure strict compliance to these guidelines through periodic inspections and submit reports to the concerned Departments and ensure that SOPs for social distancing as per the MHA Orders are in place and followed. In Rural Areas all construction activities are allowed.
All agriculture and allied sectors activities like farming operations including livestock farming, Poultry, Fishery and Hatcheries, collection, processing and distribution of milk and milk products, mandis by APMC, procurement and marketing of agricultural produce, cold storage and warehouses. Manufacturing packaging and distribution of agriculture inputs, seed, animal feed and fodder, movement of harvesting and sowing related machines and implements.
Authorized Car Wash Units who have renewed Environment Clearance from Meghalaya State Pollution Control Broad, Shillong are also allowed to operate.
Manufacturing, Transportation and marketing of Agriculture and Horticulture Tools and implements e.g. Spade, Dao, Basket, Watering Can , Khurpi, Spade Handle, Fork identified by District Agriculture Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.
Operation of Tea industry including plantation with maximum 50% of workforce for production, processing, packaging and marketing.
Veterinary Hospitals, Dispensaries, Clinics, sale and supply of medicine and vaccines.
MNREGA works are allowed with strict implementation of Social Distancing and wearing of face masks as per detail guidelines issued by C&RD Department.
Movement of Vehicles carrying Essential Commodities, LPG Cylinders, Security Forces, Medical Equipment along the National Highway. However, Drivers and Attendants of the Vehicles shall be subjected to medical screening as per laid down protocol.
The order has also permitted 50 % Public Transport and 50 % private vehicles to operate within the District on rotation basis identified by the District Transport Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai with a 50 % seating capacity.
Vehicle with odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) are allowed to ply on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and
Vehicle with even number (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
On Sunday only private vehicles both odd and even are allowed to ply on road.
The District Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills has further informed that maximum number of persons allowed to be carried by different categories of public and private transport in the District is as follows: For Bus total seating capacity is 50% , SUV including Sumo and Maxi Cab 4 persons excluding driver, Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) 2 persons excluding the driver, Auto-rickshaw 1 (One) person excluding the driver, Two-wheeler 1 (One) pillion rider restricted only to female or child below the age of 12 years of the same household.
However, all Government Vehicles (both State and Central), Private Vehicles of Government Officials on duty with Pass issued by respective heads of Department should be prominently displayed on the windscreen. Vehicles carrying Essential Services as: Medical Teams on duty, Fire & Emergency duty, Me.ECL, Power Grid and NEEPCO, Public Works Department (PWD, ) Public Health Engineering Department (PHE), Food & Civil Supply Department including FCI, Jowai Municipal Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT, Press, Print & Electronic Media and Banks are exempted from the purview of Odd and Even arrangement
In addition, the District Magistrate has instructed the public to strictly Maintain Social Distancing of at least 1 meter (6 ft), not to overcrowd in one area/shop, wearing face mask mandatory, not to spit in public places, to cooperate with the arrangement made by the District Administration, District Police and Headman and compulsory compliance to conditions laid down in the Prohibitory Order.
According to the order violation of any advisory will be punishable with fine under Section 51(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
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