With sharp rise in the number of Covid cases across the country, the Meghalaya government on Monday has imposed a ban on entry of tourists into the State.
Restrictions on entry of tourists from outside Meghalaya will come into force from April 23. Local tourists will be able to visit some of the tourist destinations but the district administration has the liberty to decide to put curbs on certain tourist locations which could be crowded.
The government has also close schools in Shillong urban agglomeration for 14 days owing staring tomorrow.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma who held a review meeting informed reporters that the schools will reopen on May 4. However, the examinations for X and XII will go on as scheduled.
He said that this is applicable in Shillong area since 80 per cent of the cases are here while in others area/districts the government is still reviewing the situation.
Sangma pointed out to the fact that in the first wave, Meghalaya took 114 days to reach the first 665 cases. But in the second wave, the State reached the same number approximately 680 cases within 25 days.
“Therefore the rise in cases has been six times higher this time compared to last time. Therefore the situation is serious and there are lots of concerns,” the Chief Minister said.
Government departments and private offices will also function with 50 per cent capacity. But banks, post offices and other essential services will function with full strength.
Employees in 14 State government offices were asked to work from home. These offices include, the directorates of Arts and Culture, Economics and Statistics, Education Research and Training, Housing, Printing and Stationery, Programme Implementation and Evaluation, Sericulture and Weaving, Small Savings, Sainik Welfare and State Lotteries including the Controller of Legal Metrology, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Chief Inspector of Boilers and Factories and Commandant Civil Task Force.
“We have also decided that the shops and other commercial agencies will also continue as normal but we expect them to follow protocols. If the protocols are not followed that the closure notices will be given to individual shops also,” Sangma said.
Restaurants and eateries will function with 50 per cent capacity even as the government recommended the restaurants to encourage takeaways.
The Chief Minister also said that public gatherings will be stopped for the next 14 days in Shillong area, exceptions for weddings and other social gatherings with prior permission from the Deputy Commissioner.
The government has also reduced the RT-PCR testing from 72 hours to 48 hours.
Sangma said that the government is of the strong opinion that there needs to be a balance between the economy and the livelihood of the people and the safety and security of the people.
“Therefore we are not in favour of complete lockdown and therefore we started with restrictions that we feel, should help us in the coming days but all of this will only be possible with the complete support and cooperation of the public especially of Shillong,” the Chief Minister said.
He said that these measures are being taken to avoid complete lockdown in the next two-three weeks.
The Chief Minister also said that the State government is also going for a very aggressive vaccination programme even as he urged the people of Shillong and commercial locations Byrnihat, Tura Khliehriat and other locations where people above the age of 45 must get vaccinated.
