Keeping in view of the high positivity rate of Covid19, the East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed fresh containment measures in the district with effect from Saturday.
Issuing an order under 144 CrPC, the East Khasi Hills said “it is observed that the number of COVID-I9 cases in the district is still very high and that the positivity rate is above 10%”.
So, in order to “safeguard the district from an uncontrollable surge in COVID-I9 cases”, East Khasi Hills district magistrate Isawanda Laloo in exercise of the powers conferred upon her under section 144 CrPC together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020, has imposed the fresh containment measures with effect from Saturday.
According to the order, night curfew will be promulgated under Section 144 CrPC with effect from 7 pm to 5 am daily in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district and there shall be total ban on movement during this time.
Any unauthorized movement during curfew hours will be met with penalties, the order said.
Political, public, social and religious gatherings including conferences, meetings & trainings, weddings and sporting activities are not permitted.
Inter-district movement, as well as movement to and from Shillong Urban Agglomeration, has not been permitted without valid passes except for restricted public emanation.
Private vehicles plying without passes will be liable for strict penalties.
Public transport in East Khasi Hills will be permitted at 20% for urban and 30% for rural areas and will be regulated as per this office order No.C&S.2/CVD/2021/ORD/171 dated July 3, 2021.
Only vehicles permitted to ply on the said day will ply, the order said.
Vaccination status of the driver should be clearly indicated in the vehicle as per order No. C&S2/CVD/2021/ORD/159 dated June 24, 2021.
Opening of essential and non-essential commercial establishments shops/malls/other economic activities is permitted and will be regulated as per this office order No.C&S.2/CVD/2021/ORD/172 dated July 3, 2021, it said.
All shops are required to indicate the vaccination status of their staff in the shop premises.
“In-Situ construction activities in East Khasi Hills are permitted with due permission from this office and the Sub-Divisional Officers (C)/Block Development Officers concerned.”
However, other construction activities requiring movement of skilled manpower or labourers will be permitted only upon due application and permission from the district magistrate’s office.
Home delivery/Takeaway service, commerce activities and courier services are permitted and will be regulated via order No.C&S2/CVD/2021/ORD/173 dated July 3, 2021.
“Central government offices and state government offices are permitted to function at 30% strength,” the order said.
All banks and Post offices are permitted to open with limited staff. Banks shall close by 4 pm for public transactions and Post offices shall close by 2 pm.
Funeral gatherings should be restricted to 10 persons only, with prior permission from the district magistrate’s office.
Agricultural activities and MGNREGA activities are permitted.
International border trade will be regulated by the Sub Divisional Officers (C) concerned with approval by the district magistrate through separate orders.
Private offices are permitted to open thrice a week for emergent works, with due permission from the DM’s office. They shall submit the application including the number of employees and their vaccination status to this office at dcofficeshillong0gmail.com for permission.
Educational institutions required to open for emergent official works only may apply to the DM’s office and permission will be granted on a case-to-case basis.
“Number of cases will be under close watch for the next one week and in the event that is no respite or any upward trend in case, more restrictions will be enforced,” the order said.
Exemptions:
Health services including emergency services and vaccination are exempted from the purview of the order.
Person(s) moving for vaccination will have to produce proof of CoWIN registration and slot booking.
Medicines and pharmaceuticals; movement of essential goods; movement for medical emergencies; persons travelling on essential government duty viz. medical teams and officials on COVID-19 duty are exempted.
Police, security and armed forces; civil defence and Home Guards; Fire & Emergency Services; electricity; water supply; municipal services; Public Distribution System; Information and Public Relations; telecommunication services; print & electronic media are exempted.
NARI/ 1917iTEAMS; petrol pumps; LPG distributors; essential veterinary services including feed and fodder movement for livestock for farmers are also exempted.