24-Hour Meghalaya 'Bandh' from Thursday Midnight Onwards amid Coronavirus Crisis

Guwahati, March 20, 2020:

The Meghalaya Government, taking cognizance of the crisis posed by the pandemic coronavirus (or COVID-19) that has killed over 10,000 people worldwide, has called for a 24-hour bandh on Friday. The bandh will be in effect from 12 midnight, on Friday.

There will be restrictions on public transport facilities. Shops, markets and commercial establishments will remain closed, the Government has instructed.

Meanwhile, the announcement of the bandh has sent the locals scurrying to the market to buy supplies as the threat posed by the COVID-19 continues to intensify across the globe. At the same time, the Government has closed down all the tourist hotspots till March 31. The order could be further extended till April 15.

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Meanwhile, the Government of Meghalaya has also instructed the Government employees to work from home. 50% of Government employees will work from home, while the rest will work from the office. However, those employees who will be working from the office have been instructed to take proper precautions.

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Earlier on Tuesday, taking cognizance of the threat posed by the international pandemic coronavirus, the Meghalaya Government had urged all the tourists coming in from the affected countries or Indian states to self-report through the helpline number 108. The tourists have also been urged to self-quarantine for 14 days.

A notification issued by the Meghalaya State Government reads, “In view of reported cases of corona virus disease in other parts of the country and abroad, all domestic and foreign travellers coming from affected countries and affected states in India are to mandatorily report to the office of the Deputy Commissioner through 108 toll free helpline.” In the communique, undersigned by the Secretary to Health & Family Welfare Department, travellers have also been advised to maintain distance. “All such travellers are also advised to maintain social distancing and self-quarantine at home for 14 days and call 108 for any assistance from Health Department and other State Agencies.”

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This notification, that was issued on March 16, came on a day when the Government of Nagaland imposed a blanket ban on all tourists — both domestic and foreign — from March 18 onwards. Moreover, the Himalayan state of Sikkim has also imposed a similar ban.

In a latest notification issued by Abhijit Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, it has been informed that the issuance of new/fresh Inner Line Permit (ILP) for both domestic and foreign tourists and all other categories shall remain suspended with immediate effect until further orders. Moreover, the Government of Nagaland has decided to close down all educational institutions in the State from March 17 to April 12.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc across the world, with deaths having crossed the 10,000 mark. In India, as many as 5 people have succumbed to death due to the virus.

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