Meghalaya to Alternate between Partial & Complete Shutdown from March 23 to Tackle COVID-19 Crisis

Shillong, March 22, 2020:

The Government of Meghalaya, in a bid to contain the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus strand, has decided to adopt a model of one day open and two days closure amid skyrocketing number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across the world.

In a latest notification issued today in the evening, the Meghalaya Government has informed that the State is embracing a “one day open and two days closure” so that social distancing can be effectively enforced.

“For the three day period 23rd-25th March, the open day will be 23rd March (Monday). On this day, shops/stalls/godowns/establishments who are dealing with essential items and services including Pharmacies, Grocery Shops, Vegetable and Fruit Vendors, Meat & Fish Vendors, Shops Selling Rice, Pulses, Wheat, Grams, Millets, Toiletries, Take Away Food Outlets, LPG Cylinders Outlets & deliveries, Petrol Pumps, Banks & ATMs will be open. However, Operations of all other commercial and business establishments will be prohibited”, read the communique. It was further informed that movement of public transport will be restricted, and only 25% of such vehicles will be allowed to ply.

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The close day (Mar 24-25) will see the operation of all commercial and business establishments, all forms of public transport, and Assembly or Gathering of 5 or more persons in public areas being banned completely through orders promulgated by the Deputy Commissioners. However, security forces and medical teams on duty, pharmacies and all health services, PWD, Police and Armed Forces, Fire & Emergency Service, Food & Civil Supply Department, Shillong Municipal Board, Telecom, Telegraph & IT Services, Banks and ATMs will be exempted from full closure.

Meanwhile, the essential Government services will function with a capacity of 50%, while all other services have been closed till March 31.

Moreover, since the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 has been invoked in the State, it has been made mandatory for all travelers who have a travel history of recently visiting COVID-19 affected countries. Furthermore, all the people entering into Meghalaya are required to mandatorily register on the COVID-19 monitoring system (meghalayaonlinegov.in/covid). A system is also being put in place to stamp "PROUDLY UNDER HOME ISOLATION" from DATE on the left hand of all the people entering the state amid the lockdown.

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At the same time, amid the restrictions, entry into the state for local residents and supply of essential commodities will be allowed, henceforth, only from the following 9 locations: Ratacherra (East Jaintia Hills), Saitsama Umransu (West Jaintia Hills), Byrnihat (Ri Bhoi), Dainudubi and Bjengdoba (North Garo Hills), Phulbari and Tikrikilla (West Garo Hills), Garodoba (South West Garo Hills).

The Government has also decided to ban the entry of tourists into the State, and to check for signs of the virus, has set up thermal scanners in six places (Byrnihat-3 and one each at the Ratacherra, Dawki, Dalu, Dainadubi and Bajengdoba).

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