Ri-Bhoi will fall under a total lockdown from Thursday night until the end of the month, the Deputy Commissioner announced today.
Meanwhile Mawkyrwat and three villages in South West Khasi Hills will come under a total lockdown from May 24 until May 31.
In Ri-Bhoi, inter-district movement will be banned and onsite construction activities halted. The district has seen 1,003 new Covid-19 cases this month alone.
Exemptions will be there for people going for vaccinations, movement of essential goods, essential government work, bank staff and home delivery of certain items, subject to approval. Funeral gatherings will be restricted to 10 people only.
In South West Khasi Hills, the lockdown will apply to Mawkyrwat, Mawlangwir, Mawten and Nonglang. The whole of the district, including the four towns and villages, will also undergo a ‘weekend lockdown’ on May 22-23.
South West Khasi Hills has seen 72 new infections since the end of March, which is more than double the number it had recorded in the 12 months prior.
Under the total lockdown, funeral gatherings will be restricted to 10 people and must seek the permission of the DC. All government offices, banks, post offices, schools and colleges are to remain closed except for those carrying out essential government duties. The State Bank of India branch in Mawkyrwat will be allowed to open for government business only.
Entry of people into the four towns and villages is prohibited while Mawkyrwat market will be closed entirely. Opening of locality shops, farming activity, work under the national rural employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGS), domestic work, sports activities and loitering will be prohibited.
In general, the public have been told to keep within their own homes during the lockdown and all public gatherings have been banned.
