The ten-day partial lockdown imposed by the State government to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus in the Shillong Urban Agglomeration started on Saturday.
Unlike last year’s lockdown, the next 10 days will see many establishments remaining open and many activities continuing.
In an attempt to slow the surge of the second wave, movement of people, vehicles have been restricted even as non-essential shops have asked to close down.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo informed that persons on essential purposes were permitted after substantiating the purpose of venturing out. However some vehicles were stopped by police and magistrates on duty for using old/expired passes or on false declaration.
“They were given warnings and from Monday onwards fines will be imposed,” Laloo said.
A bus carrying returnees from outside the state to Shillong was also intercepted for escaping Umling checkpoint at Mawïong checkpoint and was directed to move to Polo for testing, she informed.
Two cases of violation of isolation protocol were also reported and appropriate instructions have been given to magistrate and the concerned headman was also alerted, the DC said.
Four shops were also closed in Golf Link Pdengshnong for violation of protocol.
While instructions have been passed to all enforcement personnel to permit persons carrying essential items, construction materials and to facilitate persons seeking medical aid, Laloo reiterated that people are encouraged to stay home and move out only for essential purposes.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that a one-day inter-district pass will be issued by respective DCs to parents who need to pick up their children who will finish their board examination on May 3.
Meanwhile, with the partial lockdown beginning on a weekend, the scale of how much it has affected normal life could not be gauged as yet. The real picture will come out only on Monday.
In Jowai, strict restrictions was imposed by the police to all those entering and going out of Jowai by the patrolling team at Lad Kiang Nongbah, Myntdu bridge along the Shillong-Jowai route, Riatsasiam and Ïawmusiang, Jowai.
Except banks and pharmacies all other shops at Ïawmusiang and other areas were closed.
The Bouncers Association of Meghalaya (BAM) Jaiñtia Hills volunteered along with the district administration and police to ensure containment measures are followed.
BAM, Jaiñtia Hills President Yoosar Kynjing informed that about 20 of its members volunteered with the district administration.
