The Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Isawanda Laloo, has appealed to the public not to panic after the state government proclaimed a “total lockdown” in the district from Wednesday until the end of the month.
In a release today, Laloo said that there is no need for the public to panic or throng markets before the lockdown comes into force as essential commodities will still be made available to all citizens.
Headmen and local authorities “have been asked to continue to actively regulate and work out appropriate systems of making essential commodities available on dates and timings as fixed in coordination with incident commanders and block development officers,” as was done over the previous weeks, or through door-to-door delivery. However, stricter measures will be needed to ensure that no one steps out of their homes except for essential purposes.
She also warned that the lockdown should not be used as a time for “hosting dinners, parties and picnics or visiting neighbours”. These activities are against the containment protocols but reports of such have been received by the authorities.
