Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 343/20

GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO OPEN

The Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Personnel A.R. (A) Department in an order issued on 2nd May, 2020 has informed that all Government Offices in the State of Meghalaya shall function at 100 percent strength for group A and B officers and 33 percent strength for group C and D staff with effect from 4th May, 2020. The Additional Chief Secretary also directed the Head of Departments concerned to notify the roster of duty for group C and D staff

Press Release No. 346/20

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 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 and Guideline No. 5 (i) of Order dated 1st May, 2020 of Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs, promulgated Night Curfew in East Khasi Hills District with effect from 4th May, 2020 upto 11th May, 2020 only for timings falling between 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily. 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, essential services including Health Services and online food delivery, 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, limiting of field staff to the barest minimum and other advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. Also, movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipments and shops for repair of trucks on highways are exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols. Curfew passes for timings falling between 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM with effect from 4th May, 2020 upto 11th May, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 347/20

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 and Guideline No. 5 (i) of Order dated 1st May, 2020 of Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs, prohibits the following in East Khasi Hills District with effect from 4th May, 2020 upto 11th May, 2020 only for timings falling between 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. The Order prohibits Inter-District and Inter-State movement, any assembly whatsoever and while enforcing this every individual to mandatorily maintain social distancing of atleast six feet, wearing of masks, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow the various protocols and advisories of the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. Operation of major markets and shopping complexes in all commercial locations, operation of cinema halls, shopping malls and complexes, gymnasium, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar recreational places, hotels and hospitality services other than those used as quarantine facilities and housing of stranded persons and tourists, opening of restaurants, dairy stalls, tea and food stalls except home delivery, opening of saloons, beauty parlours, spa and other similar rejuvenating centres, operation of all shops dealing in non-essential items including garments, apparels, drapes, footwear, gift items, bags, suit case, watches, perfumes, toys, sports gears and equipments, luxury items, TV sets, refrigerator, washing machines and other kitchen appliances, utensils, crockery, house-keeping appliances, grooming gadgets, furniture, carwash, tailoring, laundry and dry cleaners, vehicle accessories etc. The Order also prohibits opening of tent house shops, operation of educational institutions, training centres and coaching classes (tuitions) barring online and distance learning, opening of all religious and places of worship to the public including religious congregation, all forms of gathering including social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions, moving in public and work places without a mask, movement of persons above 65 years of age, person with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years in public places beyond individual households except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes, spitting in public places, comsumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco etc in public places.

Further, incoming additional labour force to in-situ construction activities in urban areas is also prohibited. Such activities are to continue with the existing workers on site while maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks, respiratory etiquette and other protocols and advisories of the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department. Operation of public and private transport in Shillong urban agglomeration barring public transportation arranged by the Government of Meghalaya in the Transport Department on 2nd May, 2020, operation of private transport in Civil Sub-Divisions of Sohra and Pynursla and in all the C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills, operation of public transport in Civil Sub-Divisions of Sohra and Pynursla and in all the C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills above the limit prescribed by the Government in the Political Department on 1st May, 2020, is also prohibited.

The prohibitory Order states that public and private vehicles with pass in Civil Sub-Divisions of Sohra and Pynursla and C&RD Blocks and authorized public vehicles of Transport Department and private vehicles with pass in Shillong urban agglomeration will move with two passengers and driver for four-wheelers, one pavilion rider with driver for two-wheelers and public bus to utilize only 50 percent seating capacity. Operation of permitted supply chains, wholesalers and retail outlets 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.

The District Magistrate informed that vehicle pass for timings falling between 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM with effect from 4th May, 2020 upto 11th May, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in. The designated Joint Secretaries/Heads of Department and District Heads of Office in East Khasi Hills will issue vehicle passes to their respective Officers and staff specifically for official purposes and the Sub-Divisional Officer (C) Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and Block Development Officers of East Khasi Hills will issue vehicle passes to their respective Officers and staff specifically for official purposes and to private agency(s) under their respective jurisdictions for performing specific permitted economic activities. The designated Joint Secretaries/Heads of Department, District Heads of Office, Sub-Divisional Officer (C) Sohra and Pynurlsla Civil Sub-Divisions and Block Development Officers will ensure that the passes are utilized strictly for the specified purpose and any deviation will render the Issuing Authority and the employee/staff/pass holder liable to legal action. Name, address, contact details, timings and purpose of the pass to be clearly reflected. However, passes for all forms of Inter-District or Inter-State movement shall only be issued by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District.