Given the worrying upwards trend in the number of cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 nationally, the Meghalaya government today decided to re-impose certain restrictions from January 5.
Officially, there have been no instances of Omicron in Meghalaya as of yet.
The decision was taken at a review meeting held today on the Covid-19 situation.
As per the order issued by Chief Secretary Rebecca V. Suchiang today, all official, public and political gatherings are prohibited across the State.
Weddings are permitted at 50 per cent of the capacity in an enclosed space and maximum of 100 persons for unclosed or open space.
A maximum of 50 persons are permitted at funerals.
The order said private vehicles with registration plates ending in odd numbers will ply on Monday while those with even numbers will ply on Tuesday and to follow the odd-even sequence thereafter, as per orders to be issued by the respective deputy commissioners. The odd-even rule will not apply on Sundays.
Night curfews will be imposed in all districts by the respective deputy commissioner from 10 pm to 5 am.
Goods vehicles including those carrying agricultural produce and vehicles engaged in health emergency cases are exempted from the purview of the night curfew.
Earlier, speaking to media persons here, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the restrictions were being imposed in view of the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in the country.
According to Sangma, although there is no Omicron case in the State so far, it is important to impose restrictions now.
“It is a matter of time before the Omicron variant hits Meghalaya also, which is inevitable,” he said.
“We as a government feel that it is very important for citizens and the government to take precautions and though this last one year has been very difficult for all of us, we still need to be very careful in the coming days,” Sangma said.
Stating that though most of the reports coming in from everywhere are showing that the hospitalisation rate and death rate from Omicron is far lesser compared to the Delta variant, Sangma said that the positivity and the overall transmissibility of Omicron is very high.
“Now that the festive season is over it is important that we put up our guards again and we need to ensure we don’t let our guards down and ensure we follow appropriate protocols and behaviour,” Sangma said.
He also appealed to all eligible citizens to get themselves vaccinated to prevent outbreak of the Omicron variant.
“Lots of people have doubts that even after vaccination they get Covid-19 but the important point is that it has saved lives so one may become positive but it will not lead to hospitalisation. This is the important message that I would like to give to the people of the State,” he added.
