The state government has decided to extend the lockdown currently underway in East Khasi Hills by another week, that is until the morning of May 24.
This was decided today after a review meeting. The lockdown was set to end on May 17, but with a record 591 new Covid-19 cases reported in the state (318 of which were in East Khasi Hills), the government chose not to wait until closer to that date before extending the lockdown.
“This decision was taken after detailed reports were received from the various parts of the state. We have no option but to extend the lockdown for the safety of the citizens. We appeal to the people to abide by the government advisories to break the transmission chain,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said.
Tynsong also informed that the oxygen supply situation was discussed at the meeting and was found to be satisfactory. There was, therefore, no need to panic, the Deputy CM said.
Six oxygen generator units will be installed and made functional by next week. This will free up oxygen cylinders for use in other parts of the state, he informed.
Tura, Jowai and Nongpoh will also get their own oxygen generations, which will be installed and commissioned in the first half of June.
Meanwhile, in order to ease the pressure on hospitals, the government has decided to set up community isolation centres in every district.
“These centres will cater to those positive cases who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic as they don’t need medical treatment in hospital,” Tynsong said.
On the apparent confusion among members of the public on whether people who have died from Covid-19 should be buried or cremated, he said that either option is permissible. The dead bodies are wrapped securely at hospital morgues before being handed over to the families. The only restriction is that the bodies should not be kept indoors before burial or cremation.
