Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 577/20

ORDER

Due to the detection of positive COVlD-19 cases/ high risk contacts in specified building at New Kench’s Trace, Bishnupur and due to recent high risk and low risk contact with the COVID-19 positive cases, vulnerable and affected areas require aggressive contact tracing, quarantine, testing and isolation as well as containment in the interest of health of general public against any possible spread of COVID-19, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, in an order issued on 15th August, 2020 has declared the building of Mrs. D. Wahlang opposite to ‘Sterian Rynjah Store’, New Kench’s Trace, Bishnupur as containment area with effect from 15th August, 2020 so as to restrict unregulated entry and exit movement on site. The order states that no person, public are allowed to move into the containment area and inhabitants within the containment area shall not move out, besides all inhabitants within the containment area shall strictly remain inside their home. Gatherings, events, functions whatsoever of any nature and forms including social, political, religious, economic activities are not allowed. All shopping establishments shall be closed immediately and supply of essential and medical requirements for purchase will be ensured through various teams formed by the District Administration. All Government and private institutions located within the boundary of the containment area are to close forthwith, till further orders. According to the order, the Incident Commander, Zone-II, will be the Supervising Officer of building of Mrs. D. Wahlang opposite to ‘Sterian Rynjah Store’, New Kench’s Trace, Bishnupur which is declared as containment area. The order, however, will not apply to health workers and essential workers of Shillong Municipal Board, press including electronic and print media, petrol pump and LPG delivery workforce. The order also states that any violation of the order will entail prosecution under the penal provision of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and I.P.C.

Press Release No. 578/20

NIGHT CURFEW PROMULGATED IN EAST KHASI HILLS

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive and mitigation measures, to identify and take more stringent steps so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of rigorous contact tracing, testing, quarantine, isolation and ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 15th August, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has promulgated night curfew in East Khasi Hills District with effect from 17th August, 2020 upto 24th August 2020, only for timings falling between 09:00 PM to 5:00 AM each day. The District Magistrate said that the order will not apply to Security Forces, Medical Teams on duty, Wholesale and Retail Pharmacies, Police and Armed Forces, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies Department, FCI, PWD, PHE, Shillong Municipal Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Petrol Pumps including Indian Oil Corporation, essential services including Health Services, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary clinics, labs, online/home food delivery. However, home delivery of food shall be exempted only upto 10:00 PM. Authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health & Family Welfare Department, Government officials on duty, officers and staff of Corona Care Centres, Information & Public Relations Department and National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL).

These services shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, limiting of field staff to the barest minimum and other advisories of Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. Movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipments and shops for repair of trucks on highways are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols. However, exemption granted to official and non official emergency and essential services, establishments and agencies will not extend to the containment areas. Curfew passes for timings falling between 09:00 PM to 5:00 AM with effect from 17th August, 2020 upto 24th August, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 579/20

PROHIBITORY ORDER

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive measures and awareness, to identify and take more stringent steps to ensure social distancing so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of rigorous contact tracing, testing, quarantine, isolation and ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 15th August, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has prohibited inter-state movement, any assembly whatsoever and while enforcing this every individual to mandatorily maintain social distancing of at least six feet, wearing of masks, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow the various protocols and advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department at all times, without fail in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong urban agglomeration, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and C&RD Blocks with effect from 17th August, 2020 upto 24th August, 2020 only for timings falling between 5:00 AM to 09:00 PM each day. The order also prohibits operation of unregulated major markets and unregulated shopping complexes, Border Haats and markets located in the inter-state borders, operation of all cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditorium, assembly halls and similar recreational places, all forms of contact sports and spectators in sport grounds and stadia, operation of educational institutions, training centres and coaching classes (tuitions) barring online and distance learning, opening of religious places and places of worship of all faiths to the public including religious gatherings and congregation. However, marriage rituals in places of worship is permitted only after obtaining due permission from the District Magistrate.

The order also prohibited all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions etc, moving in public, work places and during transport without a mask, spitting in public places and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco etc in public places. Further, the order prohibits incoming additional workforce from outside the District except for skilled, highly skilled, specialized professionals and technicians regulated by Standard Operating Procedures and order of the Labour and Health and Family Welfare Departments, Meghalaya as notified and issued earlier by the respective departments. Due permission will be given on submission of Undertaking to the Labour Commissioner/Deputy Labour Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.

In the order, general instruction also states that individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet or 2 metres in public places. For funeral and last rites related gatherings, the number of guests must not exceed 20. Wedding ceremonies will be allowed in religious places/places of worship and the number of guests shall not exceed one-third of the seating capacity or 50 guests, whichever is less inclusive of the host and the Authority/s presiding over the wedding. However, wedding receptions are suspended till further orders, added the District Magistrate. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes. Operation of supply chains, wholesalers, retail outlets, shops, services and other establishments in the whole of East Khasi Hills District will be regulated as per scheduled timings and dates which will be released in advance from time to time by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District. Also, the operation of permitted shops, services, establishment, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities must strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and National Directives of Government for COVID-19 Management in Public Places and Work Places including mandatory compliance the advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail and also to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) pertaining to offices, both public and private, as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Employers of all forms of activities including shops, services, establishments, agricultural, industrial, etc, must ensure that Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioral Change Management App are installed and utilized by all their employees without fail. All residents of the District are to install Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioral Change Management App and to regularly update their health status on the app for containment of COVID-19 pandemic. Movement of vehicles and other traffic arrangement will be prepared and regulated by the office of the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong. Inter-District movement of persons is permitted. The designated Joint Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Sub-Divisional Officer (C) Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions, Block Development Officers and District Heads of Office in East Khasi Hills will issue vehicle passes only to their respective officers and staff specifically for official purposes and they should ensure that these passes are utilized strictly for official purpose only and any deviation will render the Issuing Authority and the employee, staff, pass holder liable to legal action. The order also stated that the name, address, contact details, timings and purpose of the pass are to be clearly reflected. However, passes for all forms of all inter-state movement to and from East Khasi Hills District will only be issued by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District.

Press Release No. 583/20

ORDER

Based on the contact tracing status and test reports of the high risk contacts in Hyundai Service Centre at Mawblei, Shillong and the reports received thereof, the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 16th August, 2020 has allowed Hyundai Service Centre at Mawblei, Shillong to resume operation with immediate effect, following strict compliance of all the norms, SOPs and advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department.