Shillong: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 25th July, 2020 has informed that all shops operating from fixed premises will open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District including Civil Sub Divisions of Sohra and Pynursla and in all CRD Blocks. However, cyber cafe, gaming parlours, jackpot parlours and lottery counters shall remain closed till further orders.
However, this order will not apply to Shillong Urban Agglomeration, all census towns areas under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang.
This order also will not apply to Mawlai Mawtawar and Kreit Mawshaton village which were declared as containment areas in orders issued earlier.
According to the order, alternate shops on rotation basis will open in shopping malls and complexes and they have to strictly follow the standard operating procedures on preventive measures in shopping malls to contain the spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of India without fail.
The order added that gaming arcades, children play area and cinema hall inside shopping complexes and malls will remain close.
The owners of the shopping malls and complexes and the respective shopkeepers shall strictly adhere to the alternative opening of shops on rotation basis and they shall also compulsorily comply to 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 and complex will be closed down to be 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 and the SDO (Civil) of Pynursla and Sohra Civil Sub Divisions, Block Development Officers, police, headman, owner of shopping mall or complex and respective shopkeepers will decide on the alternate opening of shops on rotation basis.
Restaurant, cafe and food outlets excluding those that are located along national highway will open daily in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub Divisions and in all the C & RD Blocks and they must operate in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Tourism Department and also to the standard operating procedures on preventive measures in restaurant to contain spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. However, operation of restaurants, cafés, food outlets and tea stalls along national highway is strictly for home delivery and take away service. Home delivery and takeaway service is allowed till 10:00 PM.
Operation of barber shops, beauty parlours and saloons must be in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures of health protocol for saloons and beauty parlours as issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Health and Family Welfare Department.
Identified weekly markets except border haats and markets located in the inter-state border are permitted to open in East Khasi Hills District subject to strict compliance with the standard operating procedures issued recently by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Hotels are permitted to resume operation with effect from 1st July, 2020 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.
Due permission is to be strictly obtained, without fail from the office of the Deputy Commissioner for resumption of these operation.
Pharmacies, clinics, labs, veterinary clinics, 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 Common Service Centres, services provided by self-employed persons, eg., electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters are allowed to open and operate.
All construction works in rural areas are allowed but permission is to be obtained and an undertaking needs to be submitted to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.
For incoming skilled workforce, highly skilled and professionals, the order stated that employer should follow standard operating procedures and orders of Labour and Health and Family Welfare Departments, Government of Meghalaya and due permission with undertaking needs to be taken from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills.
Entry of incoming skilled workforce, highly skilled and professionals into East Khasi Hills via all entry points of the state is suspended with effect from midnight of 23rd July, 2020 upto midnight of 31st July, 2020.
Private offices establishments with 33% employee-strength are allowed to open. 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 and standard operating procedures of Government of India for COVID-19 Management and to all advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department. 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.
The operation of notified weighbridges to facilitate checking of loaded vehicles are allowed. However, they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of 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 being issued by the State Government in the Commerce and Industry Department. However, trade through border haat is not permitted.
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 an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.
50% of private and public transport will operate only in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District as per orders notified earlier and inter-district movement of persons is permitted in rural areas. However, inter-state movement of persons will continue to be restricted.
In addition, the order states 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 100% 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 are allowed to operate daily but they have to submit undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner.
Also, 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 office of 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 (Rangbah Shnong) in coordination with BDOs and Police will regulate the operation of the 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 and to cooperate with the management made by the District Administration, District Police and Headman. (MIPR)
