Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 173/21

CURFEW EXTENDED IN EAST KHASI HILLS DISTRICT

In view of the continuous sharp spike in COVID19 cases in East Khasi Hills District and hospital bed occupancy nearing saturation and in pursuance to Government Order issued on 15th May, 2021, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 15th May, 2021 under section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has extended the Curfew in East Khasi Hills District with effect from 5.00 AM of 17th May, 2021 till 5.00 AM of 24th May, 2021.

The curfew was also imposed in view of the observed high transmissibility of a particular variant of the virus and it is deemed necessary to continue with stringent measures to prevent further spread of the COVID19 virus so as to avoid an overwhelming strain on the health system and to avoid the loss of precious lives. The imposition of the curfew was also necessitated as more exhaustive steps are required to be undertaken to effectively contain the virus through proper tracing and isolation of positive persons including returnees, to mobilize all resources and community support for vaccination which is the only way to protect the population at large, to build capacity on all fronts including confidence on home care and home management of mild cases, to conduct active surveillance and testing in areas with significant spread and to impart proper awareness on preventive aspects of the disease for which this period is critical

The curfew order states that political, public, social and religious gatherings are not permitted including conference, meetings and trainings and no vehicular movement is permitted except for essential services including Health Services. Inter-District movement of persons from and to East Khasi Hills District shall be restricted. All major markets in East Khasi Hills District including Shillong shall remain closed. Essential goods will be made available through shops in the localities as per arrangement to be made by the Incident Commanders, Block Development Officers, Sub Divisional Officers (Civil) alongwith Headmen, CCMT. Wholesale shops will be permitted and regulated as per order issued on 14th May, 2021. Banks and Post Office are permitted to open with limited staff and Central and State Government offices that are exempted by the Home (Political) Department, Government of Meghalaya are permitted to open with 30 percent strength and these shall all close by 4.00 PM. while private offices shall remain closed. Restaurants, cafes and food delivery services are permitted only for home-delivery services subject to due permission from the office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District. This includes kitchens providing food for quarantine centres, persons on COVID19 duty and families, persons under home isolation as per order issued on 7th May, 2021. Ecommerce and other home delivery services are permitted, subject to due permission and strictly as per regulation of the office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District. Bars and takeaway counters shall remain closed. In-situ Construction works that do not involve movement of labour are permitted with due intimation to the office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District or Block Development Officers concerned. Sports activities are not permitted. Places of religious worship shall remain closed, weddings are not permitted during the Lockdown period and funeral gathering to be restricted to 15 persons with prior permission and strict adherence to protocols.

According to the curfew order Exemptions from the order are Health services including Vaccination, Essential services viz. Food Corporation of India, Electricity, Water Supply, Security, Police and Armed, Forces, Municipal services, Fire and Emergency services, National Informatics Centre and Telecommunication services, movement of essential goods, Print & Electronic Media, Farming activities in rural areas, MGNREGA activities in rural areas, NARI or 1917iTEAMS, Officers and staff of Corona Care Centre, all officials on COVID-19 Duty, Shillong Municipal Board essential services, Shillong Cantonment Board essential services, Pharmacies, LPG distributors, Petrol Pumps, all Directorates under Directorate of Health Services, Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Director General of Police and NHIDCL.