Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 703/20

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 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 6th 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 7th September, 2020 upto 14th September, 2020, only for timings falling between 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM each day. The order will not apply to security forces, medical teams on duty, wholesale and retail pharmacies, police and armed force, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies, PWD, PHE, Information and Public Relations Departments, FCI, Shillong Municipal Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Petrol Pumps, Indian Oil Corporation, essential services including health services, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary clinics, labs, online or 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 and Family Welfare Department, Government Officials on duty, officers and staff of Corona Care Centre and National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.

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. Exemption granted to official and non official emergency and essential services, establishments and agencies will not extend to all containment areas declared earlier. Curfew passes for timings falling between 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM with effect from 7th September, 2020 upto 14th September, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 704/20

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 6th September, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has prohibited 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 without fail the various protocols and advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department at all times, operation of unregulated major markets and unregulated 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 7th September, 2020 upto 14th September, 2020 only for timings falling between 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM each day. The order also 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 and spectators in sports grounds and stadia, 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 gatherings and congregation. However, marriage rituals in places of worship is permitted only after due permission is obtained from the District Magistrate. The order also prohibited all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious function etc, moving in public, work places and during transport without a mask, spitting in public places and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco etc in public places. The order also prohibited entry into the District via all entry points of Meghalaya till midnight of 7th September, 2020 except movement related to emergency, medical and essential services, goods and inter state transit vehicles.

Further, the order prohibits incoming additional workforce from outside the State except for skilled highly, skilled, specialized professionals and technicians as regulated by instructions of Political Department followed by standard operating procedures of Labour department and order of the Health and Family Welfare Department as notified and issued earlier, but due permission will be given on submission of undertaking to the Deputy Labour Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. In the order, general instruction also states that public must strictly comply without fail to the measures listed for containment areas. Individual must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet or 2 metres in public places. 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 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. Operation of permitted shops, services, establishment, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities must 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 to the advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail and also to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) pertaining to offices, both public and private, as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Employers of 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 app for containment of COVID-19 pandemic. 50 percent of private and public transport will operate in East Khasi Hills District as per orders issued earlier in this respect. 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 continue to be restricted. 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. Passes for all forms of all inter-state movement to and from East Khasi Hills District will only be issued by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District.

Press Release No. 705/20

ORDER

The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 6th September, 2020 has informed that all permitted activities, services, commercial and private establishments will open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong Urban Agglomeration. However, this order will not apply to Iewduh where separate order is issued. This order will not apply to areas, buildings, houses and compounds which have been declared as containment areas as per orders issued earlier by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills, Shillong. According to the order, all stand alone shops, all shops in shopping malls and complexes except in containment areas will open daily from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. daily. However, shops with allotted serial numbers 2, 4 and 6 will open on 7th , 9th, 11th, 15th, 17th and 19th September, 2020, shops with allotted serial numbers 1, 3 and 5 will open on 8th , 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th September, 2020 in shopping complexes of MUDA complex (Police Bazaar), Glory’s Plaza, J. Market, Jivan Ram complex (Bhutia market), Rapsang market complex (Mawlonghat), Municipal parking lot (Mawlonghat), Anjalee parking lot (29-Cantonment) and Khasi market below Jaiaw Taxi stand at Motphran. Shopping malls and complexes must strictly follow the standard operating procedures to contain the spread of COVID-19 issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of India without fail. The owner of the shopping mall, complex and the respective shopkeepers must strictly comply to the standard operating procedures of Government and instructions from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District failing which the concerned shop or the shopping mall, complex will be closed down followed by legal action. No loitering is allowed in the shopping mall, complex and only customers shall enter to make purchase and exit immediately thereafter, without fail. Operation of restaurant, cafe and food outlet excluding those that are located along National Highways are allowed to open daily from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. and in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 issued by the Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya. Home delivery and takeaway service is allowed till 10:00 PM However, only take away service is permitted along national highways in strict compliance of Political Department. Barber shops, beauty parlours and saloons must operate in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures of health protocol for saloons and beauty parlours as issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya. Permitted weekly markets except Border Haats and markets located in inter state borders are allowed to open subject to strict compliance to the standard operating procedures issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya. Hotels are permitted to resume operation subject to strict compliance to the standard operating procedures issued by the Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya. Due permission is to be strictly obtained, without fail from the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills for the resumption of operation. Yoga Institutes and Gymnasiums will operate subject to strict compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, after due permission has been received from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. An Undertaking confirming adherence to the relevant SOPs and SOPs issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya is to be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District before resumption of operations.

Cyber Cafes are permitted to open subject to strict compliance to the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Information Technology and Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya, after due permission has been received from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. An Undertaking confirming adherence to the relevant SOPs and SOPs issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya is to be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. Gaming Parlours are permitted to open on a daily basis subject to strict compliance to the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District after due permission has been received. An Undertaking confirming adherence to the relevant SOPs and SOPs issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya is to be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. Ward’s Lake, Shillong and Elephant Falls, Shillong are permitted to re open for local tourists within the State subject to compliance to the SOP issued by the Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya. Wholesale and retail pharmacies, clinic both private and public, labs, veterinary hospital, dispensary, petrol pumps, home delivery and takeaway of food, mobile car repairing service consisting of two technicians and mechanics, courier services and e-commerce operation for all goods and CSCs, services provided by self-employed persons, eg., electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters, automobile showrooms, wine stores and bonded warehouses and fair price shops both NFSA and Non-NFSA, construction activities in rural areas will open and operate daily in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong Urban Agglomeration but they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District In Urban areas only in-situ construction (where workers are available on site or workers, labourers, supervisors etc., working in the construction site coming from their residence within the same district and no workers are required to be brought from outside) and construction of renewable energy project are allowed to operate daily. However, they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District For incoming skilled workforce, highly skilled and professionals, the employer is to follow the instructions as issued by Political Department and standard operating procedures and orders as issued by Labour and Health and Family Welfare Departments respectively. However, due permission will be given on submission of undertaking to the Labour Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. Private office establishments with 33 percent employee-strength are allowed to open. However, they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District and to mandatorily comply to the national directives, standard operating procedures of Government of India for COVID-19 Management and to all advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya. In addition, they must strictly follow the standard operating procedures on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in office and work place as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, without fail.

Operation of notified weighbridges to facilitate checking of loaded vehicles is allowed. However, they must obtain permission and submit an Undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. Border trade with Bangladesh through Land Customs Stations is permitted subject to strict compliance of the standard operating procedures issued by the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Meghalaya. However, trade through border haat is not permitted. Non-contact and indirect contact sports in strict compliance to standard operating procedures for non-contact and indirect-contact sporting activities issued by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya are allowed. However, they must obtain permission and submit an Undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. In addition, the order state that food processing units including rice mills and mustard oil processing in rural areas outside municipalities, brick kilns in rural areas outside municipalities, industrial units, cement plants will operate at 50 percent capacity, mining of limestone and boulder by lease-holder for domestic sale in the state or country and 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, MGNREGA works with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask are allowed to open and operate daily after they have submitted undertakings to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. Operation of permitted establishments, services, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities in both urban and rural areas must strictly adhere to the prescribed standard operation procedures of the Government and mandatory compliance to the Advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department without fail. The local Headmen in coordination with Incident Commander, Magistrates and Police will regulate the operation of shops, services and commercial establishments in their respective localities and villages and also to 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 also requested the public to strictly maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, not to overcrowd in one area or shop, shopkeepers and costumers shall mandatorily wear masks and non compliance will entail action of closure of the shops concerned, not to spit in public places, to cooperate with the management made by the District Administration, District Police and Headman and to ensure compulsory compliance to the conditions in prohibitory and night curfew orders issued on 6th September, 2020 and promulgated under Section 144 CrPC.

Press Release No. 706/20

ORDER

With the view to regulate operation of Iewduh, the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 6th September, 2020 has informed that 1245 numbers of shops in Iewduh will open three times a week @623 shops per day with effect from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM strictly as per the regulated arrangements to be made by the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and operation of shops shall strictly adhere to the prescribed standard operating procedures of the Government and mandatory compliance to all the advisories of the Health and Family Welfare Department without fail. The order states that the Syiem of Hima Mylliem must ensure due compliance by the shop owner to the norms, protocols and advisories of the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department with special and strict reference to social distancing concerning to COVID-19 situation. The Deputy Commissioner also directed shopkeepers and customers to strictly maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, not to overcrowd in one area or shop, to wear mask which is mandatory and non compliance will entail action of closure of the shops concerned, not to spit in public places, respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene and hand sanitizers to be provided by the shop owners at the entry and exit of the shop, frequent sanitization of the shop, to cooperate with management made by the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and District Police and to ensure compulsory compliance to the conditions in prohibitory and night curfew orders issued on 6th September, 2020 and promulgated under Section 144 CrPC. The order also states that violation of any or all the norms and protocols will entail legal action and closure of the shops.

Press Release No. 707/20

ORDER

Due to the reports of detection of many positive cases of COVID-19 in Jail Road areas and since it is deemed necessary to control the spread of the pandemic especially in the identified commercial areas in the interest of health of general public against any further possible spread of COVID-19, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, in an order issued on 6th September, 2020 has declared it is necessary that all shops and business establishments should remain closed in Jail Road, from Jail Road Filling Station up to Hotel Polo Towers from 5 AM of the 6th September, 2020 to 5 AM of 9th September, 2020. The order states that no person, public are allowed to operate any form of business in the specified areas above. Gatherings, events, functions whatsoever of any nature and forms including social, political, religious, economic activities are not allowed. All the shopping establishments of whatsoever nature shall be closed immediately. All Government and private institutions located within the boundaries of the specified areas are to be closed forthwith, till further orders. According to the order, the Incident Commander, Zone-III, will be the Supervising Officer of the specified areas in Jail Road, from Jail Road Filling Station to Hotel Polo Towers. The order, however, will not apply to health workers and essential workers of Shillong Municipal Board, press including electronic and print media, pharmacies, LPG delivery workforce and Banks. The order also states that any violation of the order will entail prosecution under the penal provision of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and I.P.C.