Meghalaya Govt announces 5-day lockdown in East Khasi Hills

By Daiaphira Kharsati

SHILLONG:

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday announced a five-day complete lockdown in East Khasi Hills district and a weekend lockdown in other districts, amid a rapid surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. 

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after a review meeting, he said, “The number of active cases in the state has reached 2000 in number. We are looking at Shillong having a positivity rate of 17 per cent. East Khasi Hills has a positivity rate of 12 per cent."

"In Shillong, the total number of occupancy of beds has reached 60 per cent. We are heading towards a serious situation. Several steps will be taken to contain the situation," he added.

The CM further stated that though the containment measures and restrictions that the government has imposed in Shillong and East Khasi Hills District has somewhat restricted public gatherings and movement, more stringent measures must be put in place.

“Looking at the alarming rate at which the numbers are growing, we need to go for stricter measures in certain locations where the numbers are rising,” he said.

He also announced that there will be weekend lockdown in other districts of the state to contain the spread of the highly contagious disease.

The other decisions taken today include:

*Exams scheduled on May 6 and 7 is being postponed to May 11 and 12.
*Vehicular movements will be restricted. Inter-state movement in all parts of the state will be restricted. 
*Inter-district movement of persons from and to East Khasi Hills will be restricted. 
*All major markets in East Khasi Hills including Shillong will be closed but essential goods will be made available through shops in localities and home delivery will be permitted.
*Movement of agriculture produce and inputs in East Khasi Hills will be allowed and regulated by the DC of East Khasi Hills.
*Weddings that have already been permitted may be held but it will be restricted to only the family members and the numbers shall not exceed 20 people.
*Funerals gathering will be restricted to 20 persons but prior permission will have to be taken from concerned authorities such as BDOs or DCs through the involvement of the local headman.
*During this five-day lockdown period, health services including the vaccination programme will be exempted. People are urged to go for vaccination.
*All essential services, movement of essential goods, print and electronic media will continue to operate and are exempted from the purview of the order.
*Govt is adopting three measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 which include containment, vaccination and health care.

(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)

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