Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 308/20

PRESS RELEASE

In view of the unfortunate events that ensued after the first COVID-19 death in the state of Meghalaya, the Minister of Urban Affairs, Shri Hamletson Dohling convened a meeting recently with the members of the Greater Shillong Crematorium & Mortuary Society and after threadbare deliberations, the meeting unanimously decided that the Crematorium of the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority at Jhalupara, managed and operate by the Greater Shillong Crematorium & Mortuary Society (GSC&MS) be kept in operation and ready as and when necessary for cremation of victims of COVID-19 and shall also be used for incineration of Bio-medical waste.

The meeting also decided that staff of the crematorium have to be sensitized on the protocols pertaining to disposal of dead bodies of COVID-19 victims as well as other protocols relating to COVID-19 and Personal Protection Equipments (PPEs) to be made available to the crematorium staff and operators and practical training on the use of PPEs is to be imparted to them by Shillong Municipal Board and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board. The meeting also resolved that the crematorium and its adjoining areas need be sanitised before and after every operation.

Press Release No. 309/20

CURFEW PROMULGATED IN SHILLONG

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 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 has under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 promulgated Curfew in Shillong agglomeration and adjoining areas with effect from 6:00 AM of 20th April, 2020 up to 6:00 AM of 26th April, 2020. The areas to be under Curfew are the whole of Municipal and Cantonment areas, all areas under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks including Census Towns, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi Bridge upto 7th Mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun, Mawdiangdiang, Diengiong and Siejiong.

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 and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies Department, FCI, PWD, PHE, AH & Veterinary Department and Meghalaya Directorate of Dairy Development, Shillong Municipal Board, Sanitization Division of Shillong Cantonment Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Banks, ATMs and Treasuries, Petrol Pumps, essential services including Health Services, home delivery of LPG cylinders and essential/household items, online food delivery, online services delivery, courier services, authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health & Family Welfare Department and Government officials on Duty. These Services shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, disinfection and other advisories of the Government in the Health Department, without fail. Also movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities, security forces, medical equipments and goods vehicles are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols. The District Magistrate informed that the Order will not affect the arrangement of Fair Price Shops, identified wholesale traders and local retailers which shall open as per schedule from time to time. Curfew passes can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 310/20

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 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 has under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 prohibited assembly or gathering of five or more persons in public area and premises beyond the individual households, operation of public and private transport, operation of major markets and commercial establishments, moving in public places without a Mask and spitting in public places in the areas of Mylliem Block (beyond 7th Mile), Mawphlang, Sohiong, Mawsynram, Mawkynrew, Mawryngkneng, Laitkroh-Khatarshnong, Pynursla and Shella-Bholaganj Blocks, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions. This Order shall come into force with effect from 6:00 AM of 20th April, 2020 up to 6:00 AM of 26th April, 2020. 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 and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies Department, FCI, PWD, PHE, AH & Veterinary Department and Meghalaya Directorate of Dairy Development, Shillong Municipal Board, Sanitization Division of Shillong Cantonment Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Banks, ATMs and Treasuries, Petrol Pumps, essential services including Health Services, home delivery of LPG cylinders and essential/household items, online food delivery, online services delivery, courier services, authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health & Family Welfare Department and Government officials on Duty. These Services shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, disinfection and other advisories of the Government in the Health Department, without fail.

Also movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities, security forces, medical equipments and goods vehicles are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols. The District Magistrate has also informed that the Order will not affect the arrangement of Fair Price Shops, identified wholesale traders and local retailers including groceries and essential shops, vegetables, fruits, meat and confectionery shops which shall open as per schedule which will be released from time to time. Rangbah Shnongs in coordination with the District Police will regulate the operation of the shops in their respective villages and also to ensure due compliance to the Advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department with special and strict reference to Social Distancing concerning the COVID-19 situation. In addition, the public are to strictly maintain Social Distancing of at least 1 metre, not to overcrowd in one area or shop and to comply with management made by the District Administration, District Police and Rangbah Shnong. Pass can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in

Press Release No. 311/20

SHOPS TO BE OPEN FROM 20TH TO 23RD APRIL, 2020

The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District has informed that in order to enable local residents to purchase their basic and daily essential commodities during the ongoing curfew promulgated in East Khasi Hills District, all Fair price shops under NFSA and NON-NFSA, identified groceries, vegetable, fruit, meat vendors and confectionery shops and essential items shops in all localities of Shillong agglomeration will remain open from 20th -23rd April, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. each day. The Deputy Commissioner also said that the selected shops are substantially increased from 1729 to 1804 numbers with 20 mobile units, so as to meet the requirements of local residents. Collection centres of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited in the Community Halls of each locality, Mobile repair shops/Service Centres in areas of Shillong Agglomeration and adjoining areas, stores of Telecom Providers (both Public and Private) in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all the Blocks of East Khasi Hills District and registered Suppliers and Retailers of AH & Veterinary Department, Government of Meghalaya exclusively for sale of only livestock, poultry and pet feed will remain open. The Deputy Commissioner also informed that for villages in the District, the same arrangements have been made between the Block Development Officer/Zonal Team Leader with respective Rangbah Shnongs. According to the Deputy Commissioner, Rangbah Shnongs in coordination with District Police will regulate the operation of the shops in their respective localities and villages and to also ensure due compliance to the advisories of Government in the Health & Family Welfare Department with special and strict reference to social distancing concerning the COVID -19 situation. In this respect, the Deputy Commissioner requested the public to strictly maintain social distancing of at least one metre, not to overcrowd in one area or shop, to wear mask which is mandatory, not to spit in public places and to cooperate with management made by the District Administration, District Police and Rangbah Shnongs. The Deputy Commissioner also said that similar arrangements will be made for the days to come and specific instructions will be suitably published well in advance. The Deputy Commissioner also mentioned that adequate stock is available and there is no need to panic and resort to hoarding as it will have an adverse impact.