Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma Steps Out to Monitor 'Social Distance' amid Corona Crisis

Shillong, March 28, 2020:

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stepped out and took stock of the social distancing practice among the people in the streets of Shillong.

"Please maintain social distance. This is for your own good. Maintain at least a metre's distance. Maintain a gap. This disease (coronavirus) spreads when you stay close to people. Please follow the marks drawn on the roads," he requested the people in the market area who were queuing to purchase some essential items.

The Chief Minister was seen requesting the public to practice social distancing and also the Police personnel to ensure their safety and discipline.

Sharing the video on Twitter, Sangma posted, "Stopped at a locality in #Shillong and requested citizens to maintain #SocialDistancing. I cannot stress this enough, physical distancing is so crucial for our safety. #Covid19 is affecting many around the globe. Please educate everyone around you. Let's #FlattenTheCurve."

The Meghalaya Chief Minister had stopped at Shillong's Nongmynsong Market, and requested citizens to maintain social distance.

"Physical distancing is so crucial for our safety and for the safety of everyone around us. #COVID19 is affecting many around the globe and in our country as well. We need to take personal initiative and we need to understand the seriousness of the situation. Please educate everyone around you," wrote Sangma on his Facebook profile.

It may be mentioned here that Meghalaya has not yet reported any COVID-19 positive case so far. However, the State Government is trying to take all the necessary preventive measures to combat the pandemic.

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India has recorded a total of 902 positive cases of coronavirus and 20 fatalities as on Saturday. It saw the highest spike in the last 24 hours with 149 patients testing positive for the highly contagious disease in different parts of the country.

The global tally has reached 597,458 with 27,370 deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that a vaccine is still at least 12 to 18 months away and urged the countries to "unite to fight the pandemic together".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after the trial lockdown or 'Janata Curfew', declared a nationwide lockdown of 21 days and urged the States to follow the same. People have been asked to stay at homes and barring the essential services, everything has been shut.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 Emerges as Countrywide Emergency for 1.2 Billion Indians under Lockdown

Thousands of migrant workers are walking long distances back to their home villages after the transport was stopped except for essential services. The Reseve Bank of India nad Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have also announced economic relief packages. to mitigate the negative impact of coronavirus on the economy.

The Northeastern States are also preparing to combat coronavirus by adopting several preventive measures, among which, social distancing is the most preferred one. All the States have been asked to ensure that the people maintain the social distancing discipline.

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