Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 165/21

TOTAL CURFEW PROMULGATED IN EAST KHASI HILLS DISTRICT

In pursuance to order of Home (Political) Department, Government of Meghalaya issued on 5th May, 2021 and in view of the continuous spike in COVID-19 cases in East Khasi Hills District and high occupancy of hospitals beds with many serious patients, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong in exercise of the powers under section 144 Cr. P.C. read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID–19 Regulations, 2020 has promulgated TOTAL CURFEW in East Khasi Hills District with effect from 8:00 PM of the 5th of May, 2021 till 5:00 AM of the 10th of May, 2021.

According to the District Magistrate, the order was issued in view of the observed high transmissibility of this particular variant of the virus which deemed it necessary to take urgent measures to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus so as to avoid an overwhelming strain on the health system and to avoid the loss of precious lives. The total curfew order was also necessitated because 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 and to impart proper awareness on preventive aspects of the disease for which the Health Department has a critical window period.

According to the total curfew order, 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 out by the Incident Commanders, Block Development Officers, Sub Divisional Officers (Civil) along with the Headmen, CCMT. Wholesale shops will be permitted and regulated through a separate order. All Banks, Postal Services and Private offices shall remain closed, restaurants, bars, cafes, takeaway counters and food delivery including liquor delivery services shall remain closed and home delivery services for essential goods are permitted on due permission from the office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills. Movement of agricultural inputs and farm produce in East Khasi Hills District will be regulated through a separate order. Weddings already permitted may be held but restricted to family members and not exceeding 20 persons and funeral gathering to be restricted to 20 persons with prior permission and strict adherence to protocols.

Exemptions from the total curfew order are health services including vaccination, essential services viz. Food Corporation of India, Electricity, Water Supply, Security, Municipal services, Fire & 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/ 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 and Petrol Pumps.

The total curfew order states that passes issued earlier for activities not permitted in this order are revoked.