Shillong: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 29th August, 2020 has informed that specific activities, services, commercial and private establishments in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong Urban Agglomeration will open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM except Iewduh.
This order will not apply to areas, buildings, houses and compounds which are declared as containment areas.
According to the order, all standalone shops from fixed premises and shops in shopping malls/complexes will open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
However, shops with allotted serial numbers 1, 3 and 5 will open on 31st August, 2020, 2nd , 4th, 8th, 10th and 12th September, 2020 while shops with allotted serial numbers 2, 4 and 6 will open on 1st , 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th September, 2020 in shopping complexes in MUDA Complex (Police Bazaar), Glory’s Plaza, J M Towers, Deedar Market, Dmar Complex, DGC Cross Road Building, Hira Market, Gulesta Fancy 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.
These shops must strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures on preventive measures in shopping mall to contain spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of India without fail.
The owner of shopping mall, complex and the respective shopkeepers must compulsorily comply to the Standard Operating Procedures of the 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.
Restaurants, cafes and food outlets excluding those that are located along National Highways shall open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM in strict compliance of the Standard Operating Procedures on preventive measures in restaurant to contain spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Tourism Department. Home delivery and takeaway service is allowed till 10:00 PM, however, only take away service is permitted along National Highways as per order issued on 12th May, 2020 by the Government of Meghalaya in the Political Department.
Barber shops, beauty parlours and saloons will open in strict compliance of 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 to the Standard Operating Procedures as issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Hotels are permitted to resume operation subject to strict compliance of the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Tourism Department and due permission is to be strictly obtained, without fail from the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills for the resumption of operations.
Yoga Institutes and Gymnasiums will operate subject to strict compliance to 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 and an Undertaking confirming adherence to the relevant SOPs and SOPs issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health & Family Welfare Department 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 and an Undertaking confirming adherence to the relevant SOPs and SOPs issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health & Family Welfare Department 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 being issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District after due permission has been received and an Undertaking confirming adherence to the relevant SOPs and SOPs issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health & Family Welfare Department is to be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.
Ward’s lake, Shillong and Elephant Falls, Shillong are permitted to reopen for local tourist from within the state with effect from 1st September, 2020 subject to compliance of the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya.
Wholesale and retail pharmacies, clinics 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 will open and operate daily in all of East Khasi Hills District including of Shillong Urban Agglomeration.
All construction works in rural areas are allowed but they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to 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 projects are allowed but they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.
For incoming skilled workforce, highly skilled and professionals, the order stated that the employer should follow instructions of the Political Department, Standard Operating Procedures of Labour department and order issued by Health and Family Welfare Departments, Government of Meghalaya, however, due permission will be given upon submission of Undertaking to the Labour Commissioner, East Khasi Hills.
Private office establishments with 33% employee-strength are allowed, however, they must obtain permission and submit an Undertaking to 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, but 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 State Government in the Commerce and Industries Department. However, trade through Border Haat is not permitted.
Non-contact and in-direct 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 but 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% 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 and MGNREGA works with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask are allowed to open and operate daily after they have submitted an Undertaking 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 (Rangbah Shnong) in coordination with Incident Commander, Magistrates and Police will regulate the operation of the shops, services and commercial establishments in their respective localities, 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 must 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 and also to ensure compulsory compliance to the conditions in the prohibitory and night curfew orders issued by the District Magistrate on 29th August, 2020 under 144 CrPC. (MIPR)
