Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 359/20

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 11th May, 2020 upto 18th 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/home 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 Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. Curfew passes for timings falling between 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM with effect from 11th May, 2020 upto 18th May, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 360/20

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 11th May, 2020 upto 18th May, 2020 only for timings falling between 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.

In the whole of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong urban agglomeration, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and C&RD Blocks, 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 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 auditorium, assembly halls and similar recreational places, hotels and hospitality services other than those used as quarantine facilities and housing of stranded persons and tourists, 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 and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco etc in public places.

In Shillong urban agglomeration, the Order prohibits opening of restaurants, dairy stalls, tea and food stalls except for 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, sofa sets, chandeliers, table and chairs, unauthorized car washing unit, tailoring, laundry and drycleaners, private Printing Press, furniture workshops etc. Further, opening of tent house shops, incoming additional labour force to in-situ construction activities 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 in the Health and Family Welfare Department. Operation of public and private transport barring public transportation arranged by the Government of Meghalaya in the Transport Department on 2nd May, 2020.

The prohibitory Order states that operation of permitted supply chains, wholesalers and retail outlets in the whole of East Khasi Hills District including all shops in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all the C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills 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. Operation of permitted services, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities shall strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Government and mandatory compliance the advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. 50 percent of private and public transport will operate in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all the C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills and notification for arrangement of vehicles to ply on rotation basis will be released as notified by Government in the Political Department on 9th May, 2020.

The District Magistrate informed that vehicle pass for timings falling between 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM with effect from 11th May, 2020 upto 18th 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 only 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 prohibitory Order states that public and private vehicles moving with a with pass in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and C&RD Blocks and authorized public vehicles of Transport Department and private vehicles moving with a pass in Shillong urban agglomeration will move with two passengers and driver for four-wheelers, one pillion rider with driver for two-wheelers and to utilize only 50 percent seating capacity. However, passes for all forms of Inter-District or Inter-State movement shall only be issued by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District.

Press Release No. 361/20

WHOLESALE TRADERS TO BE OPEN FOR LIFTING OF STOCKS ON 11TH MAY, 2020

In view of the Prohibitory Order promulgated under Section 144 CrPC in East Khasi Hills District concerning the COVID-19 situation, the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District has directed wholesale traders of Cantonment, Mawlong Hat, Paltan Bazar, Madanrting and Happy Valley markets to keep their establishments open for lifting of stocks on 11th May, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Lifting of stocks will be for Civil-Sub Divisions and C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills District, East and West Jaintia Hills Districts, West and South West Khasi Hills Districts and their respective Civil Sub-Divisions and Ri Bhoi District. This Order applies to identified retail shops of listed Civil Sub-Divisions and C&RD Blocks in East Khasi Hills District and retail traders duly certified by the Deputy Commissioners of East and West Jaintia Hills, West and South West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi Districts only to specifically pick up stocks for sale on days permitted by the respective District Administration. The Order stated that registered suppliers and retailers of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department will also open for sale of livestock, poultry and pet feed. According to the Order, lifting of stocks will be strictly regulated by Executive Magistrates stationed on site and there shall be no crowding and social distancing of 1 metre is to be strictly adhered to.

Press Release No. 362/20

PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO OPEN

The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District has informed that in order to enable the local residents to purchase daily essential commodities and to meet their commercial requirements in Shillong agglomeration and in villages of Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and respective C&RD Blocks in East Khasi Hills District, during the National Lockdown called by the Government of India in Ministry of Home Affairs concerning COVID-19 situation in the State and in the Country, the following private and commercial establishments will remain open in Shillong urban agglomeration from 12th May, 2020 to 16th May, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M daily.

All Fair price shops under NFSA and NON-NFSA, SK Oil retailers, registered suppliers and retailers of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary and Agriculture Departments will open only for sale of livestock, poultry, pet feed and agricultural inputs respectively in Shillong urban agglomeration, identified groceries and essential items shops in all the localities of Shillong urban agglomeration, vegetable, fruit, meat vendors and confectionery shops of the respective localities will also open their shops in Shillong urban agglomeration. Listed hardware and electrical shops, home delivery of books by book stalls and Mobile Car Repairing Service consisting of a driver and two technicians/mechanics will be allowed to operate. The selected shops have been substantially increased to 2004 numbers with 20 mobile units, so as to meet the requirements of local residents.

The Deputy Commissioner informed that the following private and commercial establishments will remain open in Shillong urban agglomeration on 13th May, 2020 and 14th May, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M daily. Listed shops that sell, repair and service mobile phones, computers as well as mobile phone recharging centres, stationery shops, stand-alone automobile repair shops for repairing of vehicles. Listed auto-spare part shops will also remain open on 13th and 14th May, 2020. All shops in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all the C&RD Blocks in East Khasi Hills District will open from 12th May, 2020 to 16th May, 2020 with effect from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. The following shops and services will open from 12th May, 2020 to 16th May, 2020 with effect from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong urban agglomeration, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all the C&RD Blocks in East Khasi Hills District.

Sale of dry fish or processed fish (including tungtap and smoked fish) as notified by the Government of Meghalaya in the Political Department and sale of these items shall be restricted only in respective localities of Shillong city and in the localities of each village in rural areas. Collection centres of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited in community halls of each locality throughout East Khasi Hills District, notified courier services for essential goods and e-commerce operations in essential goods. E-commerce operations are permitted only for the lists of essential goods as notified by the Government of Meghalaya in the Political Department. Notified Common Service Centres, notified distribution of packaged drinking water and juices and notified authorized car wash which are registered with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board. Selected wine stores will open in all of East Khasi Hills District from 11th May, 2020 upto 16th May, 2020 with effect from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.

Pharmacies both supply and retail, Veterinary Hospitals, Dispensaries, Clinics, sale and supply of medicines and vaccines, petrol pumps, home delivery and take away of food, shops for repair of trucks located on National and State highways, services provided by self-employed persons, namely, electricians, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters and in-situ constructions in urban area and construction works in rural areas will be allowed to operate daily in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong urban agglomeration, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills District.

The following commercial activities who have submitted undertakings to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District will open daily in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills District. Food processing units in rural area including rice mills and mustard oil processing, brick kilns, industrial units, cement plants (only 50 percent capacity), mining of limestone and boulder by lease-holder for domestic sale in the state or country. Export outside the country is permitted only through automated, elevated conveyor belt with no human intervention, quarrying of chips and aggregates including their transportation, all agriculture and allied sectors activities like farming operations including livestock farming, poultry, fishery and hatcheries, collection, processing and distribution of milk and milk products, mandis by AMPC, procurement and marketing of agricultural produce, Custom Hiring Centres, cold storage and warehouses, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of agriculture inputs, seed, animal feed and fodder, movement of harvesting and sowing related machines and implements, operation of tea industry including plantation for production, processing, packaging and marketing, transportation of all agricultural products and permission for transit and routes involved needs to be obtained from the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, without fail. MGNREGA works with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask and 50 percent of private and public transport will operate as per arrangements to be released by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.

Operation of permitted services, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities shall strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Government and mandatory compliance to the advisories of the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. According to the Deputy Commissioner, Rangbah Shnongs in coordination with District Police will regulate the operation of the shops, services and commercial establishments 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. The Deputy Commissioner requested the public to strictly maintain social distancing of at least six feet, 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 and added that that adequate stock is available and there is no need to panic and resort to hoarding as it will have an adverse impact.