Meghalaya: Night Curfew in West Jaintia Hills extended

Guwahati: Owing to the continuing surge in the number of coronavirus cases in Meghalaya, the district administration of the West Jaintia Hills district has extended the night curfew from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am each day until further orders. The DC's order shall come into effect on August 21.

As per the order undersigned by Deputy Commissioner Garod L.S.N. Dykes, the Order has been "put in place the preventive measure, mitigation measures and to take more stringent steps so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in West Jaintia Hills District by way of rigorous contact tracing, testing, quarantine, isolation and ensuring strict observation of the protocols and Advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya."

The District Magistrate, however, said that the Order will not apply to "Security Forces, Medical Teams on duty, Wholesale and Retail Pharmacies, Police and Armed Forces, Fire & Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO & Power Grid, Food and Civil Supply Department, FCI, Public Works Department (PWD), Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Jowai Municipal Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, and Petrol Pumps."

In regards to online food delivery, the Order states that the home delivery of food shall be permitted up to 10.00 pm.

As per the order, essential services including Health Services, Hospitals, Clinics, Dispensaries, Veterinary clinics, and labs, authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government officials on duty, Officers and staff of Corona Care center, Information and Public Relations Department, National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) shall also be exempted.

The order also exempts the movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipment, and shops for the repair of trucks on highways.

However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols.

Curfew passes can be obtained from @ www. megedistrict.gov.in/ westjaintiahills.gov.in.

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