Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 415/20

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 in an order issued today under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has promulgated night curfew in East Khasi Hills District with effect from 8th June, 2020 upto 15th June, 2020 only for timings falling between 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM each day.

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 including Indian Oil Corporation, essential services including Health Services and online/home food delivery. However, home delivery of food shall be exempted only upto 10:00 P.M., 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.

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 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM with effect from 8th June, 2020 upto 15th June, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in

Press Release No. 416/20

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 in an order issued today under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has prohibited the following in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong urban agglomeration, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and C&RD Blocks with effect from 8th June, 2020 upto 15th June, 2020 only for timings falling between 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM each day. The Order prohibits inter-state movement, any assembly whatsoever and while enforcing this every individual to mandatorily maintain social distancing of at least 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 at all times, without fail.

The order also prohibits operation of major markets and unregulated shopping complexes in all commercial locations, opening of barber shops, beauty parlours, salons, spa and other similar rejuvenating centres, operation of all cinema halls, gymnasium, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditorium, assembly halls and similar recreational places, all forms of contact sports and spectators in sport grounds and stadia, hotels and hospitality services other than those used as quarantine facilities and housing of returnees, stranded persons and tourists. The order also prohibits operation of educational institutions, training centres and coaching classes (tuitions) barring online and distance learning, opening of religious places and places of worship of all faiths to the public including religious congregation upto 13th June, 2020, all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural etc, 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. Additionally the order also prohibits only in Shillong urban agglomeration including areas falling under Umshyrpi bridge upto 7th Mile Upper Shillong of Mylliem C&RD Block, and in all areas falling under Census Towns of Mawlai and Mawpat C&RD Blocks the operation of cyber café, gaming parlours, jackpot parlours, teer counter and lottery counter, opening of restaurants, cafes, food outlets, dairy stalls, tea and food stalls. However, home delivery and take away food is allowed upto 10:00 PM.

Further, the order prohibits incoming additional labour force from outside the District to in-situ construction activities. In-situ workers shall include labourers, supervisors, contractors etc working in the construction site coming from their residence with the same District. Construction in urban areas are to continue with in-situ 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. The general instruction of the prohibitory Order states that from 14th June, 2020, religious places and places of worship of all faiths shall operate only as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Government of Meghalaya in Political Department issued on 6th June, 2020. In addition, conduct of weddings in churches/temples/mosques and other places of worship shall follow SOP of Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department. Operation of supply chains, wholesalers, retail outlets, shops, services and other establishments in the whole of East Khasi Hills District 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.

Also the operation of permitted shops, services, establishment, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities shall strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and national directives of Government for COVID-19 Management in Public Places and Work Places including mandatory compliance the advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. Employers of all form of activities including shops, services, establishments, agricultural, industrial etc shall ensure that Aarogya Setu Application is installed by all their employees having compatible mobile phone, without fail. All residents of the District are to install Aarogya Setu Application on compatible mobile phones and to regularly update their health status on the app for containment of COVID-19 pandemic. Further, 50 percent of private and public transport will operate in East Khasi Hills as notified in earlier.

The designated Joint Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Sub-Divisional Officer (C) Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions, Block Development Officers and District Heads of Office in East Khasi Hills will issue vehicle passes only to their respective Officers and staff specifically for official purposes. The designated Joint Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Sub-Divisional Officer (C) Sohra and Pynurlsla Civil Sub-Divisions, Block Development Officers and District Heads of Offices will ensure that the passes are utilized strictly for the specified purpose (Official) 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 outward inter-state movement from East Khasi Hills District shall only be issued by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District.