The Meghalaya government today decided to impose a 10-day partial lockdown from May 1 to May 10 in Greater Shillong, Jowai and Tura to try and contain the spread of Covid-19.
The government, however, remained wary of using the word lockdown and instead opted for “containment measures.”
The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today morning.
As part of the measures, all public, political, social and religious gatherings will not be allowed except weddings and funerals provided they adhere to the protocols put in place by the respective Deputy Commissioners.
All educational institutions and private offices will be closed except those providing essential services, while non-essential central government officials can work from home. Sporting activities have also been prohibited.
Only one-fourth of the total public transport will ply the streets of these three towns and will only be allowed to ferry one-fourth of seating capacity.
Healthcare workers, members of the public facing an emergency, students who are appearing for their exams, as well as teachers and staff on examination duty are allowed to move during the containment period.
Inter and intra-district movement from Greater Shillong, Tura and Jowai will be banned except under special circumstances.
Essential shops, construction activities, electrical shops, mobile phone stores, automobile repairing shops, hardware shops, banks, post offices and telecommunications services is allowed.
Movement of agriculture and veterinary services, e-commerce, home delivery of medicines, construction workers, students, teachers and staff on examination duty are also allowed in these three towns.
The idea of the government is to try to bring down the level of economic activity down to 50 per cent of normal in order to break the chain of transmission of the coronavirus.
For the rest of Meghalaya, all public, political, social and religious gatherings have been banned. All sporting activities as well as international trade and weekly markets will remain closed.
Who are allowed to move?
· Healthcare services, emergency services and vaccination
· Agriculture & Veterinary services
· Transportation of essential items
· Students, teachers & staff related to conduct examinations
· Goods vehicles, e-commerce services, supply of medicines and pharmaceuticals
· Home delivery services
· Accredited/registered press personnel (Print and Electronic)
· Persons engaged in construction activities
· Medical teams and officials on COVID-19 duty
· Police, security and armed forces
· Civil defence and home guards
· Fire and Emergency services
· Power (NEEPCO, MeECL, Powergrid, etc)
· Water supply (PHE)
· Roads and buildings (PWD, NHAI,NHIDCL, etc)
· Municipal services
· Food Corporation of India
· Information and Public Relations
· Banks, post & telegraph and telecommunication services
