Additional Non-Essential Services Permitted in Greater Shillong, Lockdown Relaxed

SHILLONG, MEGHALAYA:

The East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner has identified additional non-essential businesses that will be permitted to function in Greater Shillong beginning Monday, as restrictions are gradually eased after a long COVID-19 induced lockdown. 

Hardware, gas appliances, computers, stationery, baby clothes, pet items, opticians, tailoring, electronics, automobile workshops, automobile showrooms, furniture, mobile phones, agricultural tools, printing presses, florists and nurseries, bookshops, garments, and shoes were all allowed to open last week, subject to time and date constraints. 

The curfew will remain in effect throughout the district from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. everyday. 

Shops retailing musical instruments, jewellery, and presents, as well as craftsmen, dry cleaners and laundry services, and travel agencies, will be permitted to be operational from Monday onwards.  

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are the only days that shops in Laitumkhrah, Laban, Sadar, Rynjah, and Madanrting police stations, as well as Mawpat, are permitted to open. Pasteur beat house, Lumdiengjri and Mawlai police stations, and Mawlai and Mylliem blocks may be accessed on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On the designated days, all shops are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Only single shops, not complexes or shopping malls, are authorised to open to avoid overcrowding in a closed space which increases the chances of contracting the own airborne deadly viral disease.  When feasible, shops are urged to choose home delivery.  

Despite considerable criticism, the DC has decided to guarantee that all businesses make every effort to finish vaccination as soon as possible and will post a conspicuous notice showing the vaccination status of the shopkeepers and employees on the premises. 

Essential and non-essential businesses are permitted to open in rural parts of the district, subject to the regulated arrangements set by the Sub-Divisional Officer and the Block Development Officers involved in conjunction with the Covid committees.

E-commerce and courier services are authorised with prior approval from the DC's office and a limit on the number of delivery employees travelling. Food delivery services are available from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Other enterprises who provide food/rations and other essentials to hospitals/Corona Care Centers/quarantine centres that have previously gotten authorization from the DC may continue to operate.

On particular request, legitimate and experienced proprietors may get home delivery of basic food commodities such as dry rations, meat, vegetables, fruits, and toiletries. 

Political, public, social, and religious gatherings, conferences, seminars, and training sessions, as well as weddings and sports events, continue to be forbidden. Inter- and intra-city transportation of people to and from Greater Shillong is prohibited without proper passes. Vehicles operating without passes will face penalties. Funeral services are still limited to a maximum of ten persons. 

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