Shillong: 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 7th November, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC has prohibited in all of East Khasi Hills District any assembly or gathering without due permission, operation of unregulated major markets which have not obtained separate permission from the office of the District Magistrate, with effect from 7th November, 2020 upto 14th November, 2020 only for timings falling between 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM each day.
The order prohibits operation of all cinema halls, swimming pools, theatres, auditoriums and similar recreational places, all forms of contact sports, competitive sports events and spectators in sports grounds and stadia. However, permission for training etc., as per SOPs of Sports and Youth Affairs Department may be granted after due application to the Office of District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills and satisfaction of all conditions.
The order also prohibited all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural, etc, without permission from the Office of District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills.
The order also prohibits moving in public, work places and during transport without a mask, spitting and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco, etc. in public places.
The general instruction of the order states that 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. In addition, public must strictly comply without fail to the measures mandated for containment areas.
Any individual or organisation seeking to organise any function, meeting, ceremony or event may apply to the Office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District subject to a ceiling limit of 50 attendees or one third the capacity of the hall or venue, whichever is less.
Religious places and places of worship of all faiths are permitted to re-open subject to compliance to the SOP laid down by the Government.
Schools will be permitted to open for activities such as teacher-student counseling, clearing doubts, addressing hard spots, sharing unit, lesson plans, assignments, submission of works, students assessment programme etc., as per guidelines issued by the Education Department, Government of Meghalaya.
For funeral and last rites related gatherings, the number of attendees must not exceed 50 or one-third the capacity, whichever is less. Wedding ceremonies will be allowed in compliance with SOP issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and the number of guests at home or reception shall not exceed one-third the seating capacity of the place of worship or hall 50, whichever is less.
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.
All residents of the District are to install Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioral Change Management App and to regularly update their health status on the apps for containment of COVID-19 pandemic.
Private and public transport will operate in East Khasi Hills District as per the order issued by Transport Department, Government of Meghalaya.
Movement of vehicles and other traffic arrangements 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 be strictly as per instructions of the Government of Meghalaya and all persons entering Meghalaya will have to mandatorily register for testing at http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid/testing.htm and shall follow the testing and quarantine protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya.
