Shillong(Meghalaya), Dec 20: In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive measures and awareness, to identify and take more stringent steps to ensure social distancing so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of rigorous contact tracing, testing, quarantine, isolation and ensuring strict observance of protocols and advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on Saturday under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has prohibited any assembly or gathering without due permission in all of East Khasi Hills District with effect from Dec 21 upto Jan 1, 2021 only for timings falling between 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM each day.
The order prohibits operation of unregulated markets which have not obtained separate permission from the office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, operation of swimming pools and similar recreational places. However, swimming pools will be allowed to open strictly for water sports activities, training as per standard operating procedure of Sport and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya issued on Dec 7 and public should not be allowed.
The order also prohibits all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural etc., without permission from the Office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills.
The order also prohibits moving in public, work places and during transport without a mask, spitting and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco, etc. in public places.The general instruction of the order states that every individual must mandatorily maintain social distancing of at least six feet, wearing of masks, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow without fail the various protocols and advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department at all times.
Religious places, places of worship of all faiths are permitted to re-open subject to compliance to the standard operating procedure as laid down in the notification issued on Sep 25 last by the Government.
Schools will be permitted to open for activities such as teacher-student counseling, clearing doubts, addressing hard spots, sharing unit, lesson plans, assignments, submission of works, students assessment programme etc., as per guidelines issued by the Education Department, Government of Meghalaya on Sept 17
Any individual or organization seeking to organize any function, meeting, durbar, ceremony or event may apply to the office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills subject to a ceiling limit of 100 attendees or one-third the capacity of the hall/venue, whichever is less as per order issued on Nov 26 last by the Government.
Wedding ceremonies will be allowed in compliance with the standard operating procedure issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department on 30th September, 2020. Attendants at the place of worship shall not exceed one-third the capacity of the place of worship. Weddings and receptions at halls or outdoor spaces will adhere to the ceiling limit of 100 attendants.
Private gatherings at residential premises which include wedding receptions, engagements, funerals/last rites, birthday parties, memorial services, anniversaries etc. will be allowed subject to a ceiling limit of 50 persons or one-third the capacity of the residential premises, whichever is less as per order issued on Nov 30 last by the Government. Permission will be issued on a case to case basis, after assessing the capacity of the residential premises by the Executive Magistrate/Block Development Officer concerned, whenever deemed necessary.
Autonomous, Private, Non-Government offices are permitted to function with 50% strength as per the order issued on Nov 27 by the Government.
Permission for resumption of contact, non-contact, recreational and competitive sports and training activities, domestic football matches, competitions and tournaments through clubs and associations as per standard operating procedure of Sports and Youth Affairs Department issued on Dec 7 & 8 may be granted after due application to the Office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills and satisfaction of all conditions.
Cinema Halls are permitted to re open with effect from 21st December, 2020 subject to compliance with the standard operating procedures of General Administration Department, Government of Meghalaya issued on Dec 17and after due permission from the office of the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills.
Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.
All residents of the District are to install Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioral Change Management App and regularly update their health status on the apps for containment of COVID-19 pandemic.
Private and public transport will operate in East Khasi Hills District as per the Order of the Transport Department, Government of Meghalaya issued on Sept15 last .
Movement of vehicles and other traffic arrangements will be prepared and regulated by the office of the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong.
Inter-District movement of persons is permitted and inter-State movement of persons will be strictly as per the instructions of the Government of Meghalaya.
All persons entering Meghalaya will have to mandatorily register for testing @ http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid/testing.htm and shall strictly follow the testing and quarantine protocols as issued on Oct 27, by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya.
