Shillong: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 11th October, 2020 has informed that 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 also not apply to areas, buildings, houses and compounds which are declared as containment areas.
According to the order, all stand alone shops from fixed premises and shops in shopping malls/complexes are allowed to open daily with effect from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
However, shops with allotted serial numbers 1, 3 and 5 will open on 12th, 14th, 16th, 20th, 22nd and 24th October, 2020 while shops with allotted serial numbers 2, 4 and 6 will open on 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st and 23rd October, 2020 in shopping complexes of Glory’s Plaza, J. M. Towers, Dmar Complex, Hira 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.
Complexes and shops which have applied and obtained permission after due inspection by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District may open subject to strict compliance of protocols. They shall strictly follow the SOPs on preventive measures in shopping mall 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 SOPs 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.
Restaurants, cafes and food outlets shall open daily from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. in strict compliance to the SOPs on preventive measures in Restaurant to contain spread of COVID-19 and SOP for opening of Dhabas/tea stalls along the National Highways in Meghalaya as issued by the Tourism and Health and Family Welfare Departments, Government of Meghalaya respectively.
Barber shops, beauty parlours and saloons shall open in strict compliance of the SOP issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Weekly markets except Border Haats and markets located in inter-state borders are permitted to open in East Khasi Hills District subject to strict compliance to the SOP issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Hotels are permitted to resume operations subject to strict compliance of the SOP issued by the Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya. Due permission is to be 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 SOPs 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 SOPs 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 SOPs 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.
Tourist spots/places are permitted to re-open for local tourists from within the State with effect from 16th October, 2020 in 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 are allowed to open and operate daily in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong Urban Agglomeration.
Construction activities in rural areas are also allowed to operate daily but they must obtain permission and submit an Undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. While 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) are allowed to operate daily. However, 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 employer is to follow the instructions as issued by Political Department and SOPs and Orders as issued by Labour and Health and Family Welfare Departments respectively. However, due permission will be given upon submission of Undertaking to the Labour Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.
Private office establishments with 33% employee-strength are allowed to open. 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, SOPs 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 SOPs on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in office and work places as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, without fail.
Notified weighbridges to facilitate checking of loaded vehicles are allowed to operate daily. 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 SOP 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 SOP 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 stated 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, 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 SOPs 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, refrain from spitting 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 11th October, 2020 which are promulgated under Section 144 CrPC. (MIPR)
