SHILLONG:

The Government of Meghalaya on Thursday extended the lockdown period in East Khasi Hills district till May 24. 

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong made the announcement and said that the lockdown is extended by one week given the COVID situation.

Speaking to reporters here, Tynsong said that the lockdown is for the safety of citizens of the state and to ensure that the virus is contained.

As for the lockdown in other areas of the state, he said that the respective Deputy Commissioners of the districts have been authorised to do the needful.

“The decision has been taken based on the details received from the entire state. The government has no option but to extend the lockdown for the safety of the citizens,” he said.

Speaking about the status of oxygen availability throughout the state, he informed that the stock of this particular component is still manageable throughout the state and has requested citizens not to be panic as far as of supply of oxygen is concerned.

"Immediate installation of six units of oxygen generators will be made at Shillong Civil Hospital and the target date to be functional latest by next week,” he said.

As for the commissioning of generators at Civil Hospital, Tynsong said that the state will be able to cut down the requirement of cylinders and the surplus cylinders which is supposed to be spent at Civil Hospital will be distributed across the state.

"Oxygen generators for Tura, Jowai, and Nongpoh are already on the way. Hopefully, within a week, these generators will reach the state and the moment reaches the state, we are going to install them immediately in the three district headquarters. Commissioning of oxygen generators will be made functional by the first week of June," he said.

Cluster or community quarantine centres

Tynsong informed that cluster or community quarantine centres will be created in every district up to the community level depending upon the situation and the requirement. And the decision is being communicated to all DCs for necessary action.

“These centres will cater to the asymptomatic patients or patients falling under category A and B. They can be isolated at such centres, as they do not need medical treatment to prevent unnecessary pressure on the hospitals in the state,” he said.

Tynsong further said that the DCs have been authorised in consultation with BDOs and Dorbar Shnongs to look into the matter, and assured that the government will step in for any necessary assistance.

No fear; protocols followed

The review meeting also discussed instances related to the disposal of dead bodies where religious organizations were scared to take the body and abstained from conducting rituals.

“We from the government request, please do not hesitate, to dispose of the dead body because protocols are already in place for the victims who succumb to COVID-19,” he said.

He added that PPEs will be provided to people who handle the bodies.

Farmers relief

Tynsong said an alternative arrangement has been made for farmers as the wholesale market is temporarily closed.

He added that the district administration will identify and create temporary markets in Upper Shillong and other areas.

Vaccination drive

The vaccination drive will start from May 14 (Friday) and the Health Department have been directed to regulate all the vaccination centres. 

People are advised to keep track of messages on their phones for the timing of the vaccination.

“When the health department opened the portal today, the slots in Shillong were already full. The slot was already full in other districts. The sign says that 18-44 are willing to go for vaccination. We don’t want a rush, so we have regulated in a way that those persons concerned will get detailed information on their mobile phone,” Tynsong concluded.

(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)

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