Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 829/20

CHIEF MINISTER ATTENDS WORLD TOURISM DAY CONCLAVE

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K. Sangma on Sunday attended a virtual World Tourism Day conclave organised by the Ministry of DoNER, Govt of India on the theme , “Emerging Delightful Destinations”, wherein he spoke of the vital role tourism plays in leveraging the economy and enhancing livelihood. The North Eastern Council, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region organises the event annually in different parts of the country to promote and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the North East to the rest of the country. This year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was organised virtually, which was inaugurated by the Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah and Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, in charge, Ministry of DONER. Talking on the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, “Tourism and Rural Development”, Chief Minister said, “It blends well with the theme of the event and is a reminder to all of us about the vital role of tourism in developing and enhancing rural economies”.

Speaking at length on the tourism potential of Meghalaya that is blessed with bountiful nature, forests, waterfalls, caves, wildlife, flora and fauna, the Chief Minister said “Our cultural heritage and traditions are deeply rooted in nature and it is in rural Meghalaya that the best of our tourist destinations are located, be it in Sohra, Mawlynnong, Shnongpdeng or Nokrek”. Informing that in 2019 Meghalaya recorded 1.2 million tourist footfall and the tourism sector has played a pivotal role in providing direct and indirect employment to the local people, he said, “Meghalaya is one of the fastest-growing and travel destinations in Northeast”. He remarked that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism in the State has been badly hit, however, the Government has prepared a roadmap to revamp the tourism sector in the State. “The Government of Meghalaya is conscious of the impact of Covid-19 on the growing tourism industry in the state and therefore, it is crucial to plan the reopening of tourism in Meghalaya so that it benefits all the tourism stakeholders involved, the residents of the state and the travellers & visitors alike”, he added.

Stating that due to Covid-19 pandemic, there are travel restrictions globally and within India which has created an opportunity for Northeast, he said, “Amidst the disruption caused by the pandemic, there is also an opportunity for Meghalaya and Northeast. India has almost 26 million outbound tourists. A large section of these will look for exotic destinations within the country. Meghalaya is one such exotic destination that will be ready to welcome a big section of these high-value tourists”. He informed that the Government is committed to bring in investment in the emerging tourism destinations by creating resorts and luxury tented accommodations which will revive the rural sector. “We are also investing in upskilling the rural tourism stakeholders and we expect the mode of revenues from tourism to flow into the rural areas as we open up”, he stressed. Talking about air connectivity Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K. Sangma informed that direct flights from Delhi to Shillong will start in end of October 2020, which will further add to the growth of the tourism sector in the State. He also expressed his optimism that direct flights to Shillong will also start soon from other cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad.

Press Release No. 830/20

NIGHT CURFEW PROMULGATED IN EAST KHASI HILLS

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state and in order to put in place preventive and mitigation measures so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 27th September, 2020 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 28th September, 2020 upto 5th October, 2020, only for timings falling between 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM each day. The order will not apply to medical teams and officials on COVID-19 duty, police, security and armed forces, Civil Defence and Home Guard volunteers, wholesale and retail pharmacies, Fire and Emergency service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, FCI vehicles, officers and staff of corona care centres, press, print and electronic, Information and Public Relations Department, National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Shillong Municipal Board and Telecom service.

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. Movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipments and shops for repair of trucks on highways are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols. However, exemption granted to official and non official emergency and essential services, establishments and agencies shall not extend to the containment areas, except for exemption granted therein. Curfew passes for timings falling between 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM with effect from 28th September, 2020 upto 5th October, 2020 can be obtained via online application at eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 831/20

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 rigorous contact tracing, testing, quarantine, isolation and ensuring strict observance of protocols and 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 on 27th September, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has prohibited any assembly or gathering without due permission, operation of unregulated major markets and shopping complexes, Border Haats and markets located in the inter-state borders in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong Urban Agglomeration, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and C&RD Blocks with effect from 28th September, 2020 upto 5th October, 2020 only for timings falling between 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM each day. The order prohibits operation of all cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditorium, assembly halls and similar recreational places, all forms of contact sports, competitive sports events and spectators in sports grounds and stadia, however, permission for training etc., as per SOPs of Sports and Youth Affairs Department may be granted after due application to the Office of District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills and satisfaction of all conditions.

The order also prohibits all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural etc., without permission from the Office of District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills. The order also prohibits moving in public, work places and during transport without a mask, spitting and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco, etc. in public places. The general instruction of the order states that every individual to mandatorily maintain social distancing of at least six feet, wearing of masks, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow without fail the various protocols and advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department at all times. In addition, the public shall strictly comply without fail to the measures mandated for containment areas. Religious places/places of worship of all faiths are permitted to re-open with effect from 1st October, 2020 subject to strict compliance to the SOP on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in religious places/places of worship as laid down by the Government of Meghalaya in the Home (Political) Department. Schools will be permitted to open for activities such as teacher- student counseling, clearing doubts, addressing hard spots, sharing unit/lesson plans, assignments, submission of works, students assessment programme etc., as per guidelines issued by the Education Department, Government of Meghalaya.

For funeral and last rites related gatherings, the number of guests must not exceed 20. Wedding ceremonies will be allowed in religious places, places of worship and the number of guests shall not exceed one-third of the seating capacity or 50 guests, whichever is less inclusive of the host and the Authority presiding over the wedding. However, wedding receptions are suspended till further orders. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes. Operation of permitted shops, services, establishment, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities must strictly adhere to the prescribed SOPs and National Directives of Government for COVID-19 Management in Public Places and Work Places including mandatory compliance to the advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail and also to the SOPs pertaining to offices, both public and private, as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Employers for all forms of activities including shops, services, establishments, agricultural, industrial, etc, must ensure that Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioral Change Management App is installed and utilized by all their employees without fail with due monitoring. All residents of the District are to install Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioral Change Management App and regularly update their health status on the apps for containment of COVID-19 pandemic.

Private and public transport will operate in East Khasi Hills District as per orders issued. Movement of vehicles and other traffic arrangement will be prepared and regulated by the office of the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong. Inter-District movement of persons is permitted and inter-state movement of persons will be strictly as per instruction of the Government of Meghalaya and all persons entering Meghalaya will have to mandatorily register for testing @http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid/testing.htm. Skilled highly, skilled, specialized professionals and technicians will be permitted as per instructions of Political Department followed by SOPs of Labour Department and Order of the Health and Family Welfare Department as notified and issued earlier and all skilled highly, skilled, specialized professionals and technicians will have to mandatorily register for testing @http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid. 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 and they should ensure that these passes are utilized strictly for official purpose only and any deviation will render the Issuing Authority and the employee, staff, pass holder liable to legal action. The order also stated that the name, address, contact details, timings and purpose of the pass are to be clearly reflected.