The Meghalaya government has decided to continue with the lockdown currently in effect on account of Covid-19 till further notice but at the same time there will be further relaxation on certain activities.
The state government had earlier extended the lockdown till June 30 with some relaxations.
“Legally, lockdown is still on in the whole State, but relaxation is also continuing in some sectors. Night curfew is also still in force in the State,” Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong informed on Monday.
When asked how long the lockdown would continue, Tynsong said that it will continue till such time when a new notification would be issued.
The Meghalaya government has relaxed the lockdown by allowing various livelihood activities to resume including construction work and re-opening of shops on rotation basis including markets. However, permission is yet to be given for border haats and unregulated major markets to resume.
Hotels, restaurants and saloons have also been allowed to operate but they should strictly follow the protocols issued by the Health department.
Vehicular movement has also been permitted on an odd-even basis of the registration plates and this applies to both private vehicles and commercial vehicles including local taxis.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district, Matsiewdor War Nongbri, in an order issued on Monday has specified that identified shops operating from fixed premises will open as scheduled from 8 am to 8 pm in Shillong Urban Agglomeration for areas falling under Police Bazaar, GS Road from Khyndailad to Motphran, Keating Road, Jail Road, Cantonment and Motphran. However, cyber cafes, gaming parlours, jackpot parlours and lottery counters will remain closed till further orders.
According to the order, stand alone shops serial numbers 2 and 4 will open on June 29, July 1, 3, 7, 9 and 11 while stand alone shops serial numbers 1 and 3 will open on June 30, July 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.
For shops in shopping malls and complexes except Glory’s plaza, JM Towers and Jivan Ram Complex, shops serial numbers 2, 4 and 6 will open on June 29, July 1, 3, 7, 9 and 11 while shops numbers 1, 3 and 5 will open on June 30, July 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.
For Glory’s Plaza, JM Towers except COSMOS and Jivan Ram Complex (Bhutia Market) shops numbered 4 will open on June 29 and July 11, shops number 5 will open on June 30 and July 6. Shops numbered 6 will open on July 1 and 7, shops numbered 1 will open on July 2 and 8, shops numbered 2 will open on July 3 and 9 and shops numbered 3 will open on July 4 and 10.
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. Gaming arcades, children play area, cinema hall inside shopping complex and mall will remain closed.
The owner of the shopping mall, complex and the respective shopkeepers must compulsorily comply to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the government and instructions from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills district failing which the concerned shop of the shopping malls, complexes will be closed down followed by legal action. No loitering is allowed in the shopping malls, complexes and only customers shall enter to make purchase and exit immediately thereafter, without fail.
Meanwhile, the operation of barber shops, beauty parlours and saloons must operate as per allotted serial number and in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures of health protocol for saloons and beauty parlours as issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare department.
Hotels are permitted to resume operation with effect from July 1 subject to strict compliance to the standard operating procedures issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Tourism Department and standard operating procedures on preventive measures in hotels and other hospitality units to contain spread of Covid-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
Operation of private office establishments with 33 percent employee-strength are allowed, however, they must obtain permission and submit undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills district and to mandatorily comply with 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, these private offices 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.
Non-contact sports excluding gymnasium 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 undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills district.
