Total lockdown declared in East Khasi Hills
A CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: To check the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in Shillong and across Meghalaya, the State government has declared complete lockdown in East Khasi Hills from 8 pm of Wednesday till 5 am of May 10. There will be weekend lockdown in all districts of the State as well.
Briefing reporters, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Wednesday that the containment measures brought in by the government since May 1 have brought down the movement of people to a large extent and also slowed the spread of Coronavirus.
''But looking at the alarming rate at which the numbers are growing, we need to go for stricter measures at some locations where the numbers are rising,'' said Sangma.
The Chief Minister also said that the examinations slated on May 6 and 7 have been postponed to May 11 and 12.
Sangma added that vehicular, inter-state and inter-district movements, as well as movements from and into East Khasi Hills district, have been restricted.
He added that all major markets in East Khasi Hills district and Shillong will be closed but essential commodities will be made available through shops in the localities. Essential services like power, water supply will be exempted. Sangma also said that home delivery services, movement of agriculture produce will be regulated by the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district.
Weddings already permitted will be allowed but the weddings will be restricted to only the family members and it shall not exceed 20 people.
Funerals too will be restricted to only 20 people.
The Chief Minister also said that the government will adopt a three-pronged strategy of containment, vaccination and health care to fight COVID-19. Sangma said that containment is the best strategy and the only way to ensure that things do not get out of control. ''But the challenge is to ensure that livelihood is not affected in an adverse manner and yet the health concerns are balanced,'' added the Chief Minister.
He also said that the vaccination programme is on for people in the age group of 45 years and above, adding that there are still a large number of them who have not been vaccinated yet. ''Because of that, the overall number has not reached a satisfactory level,'' said Sangma while adding that enough vaccines are available for those in the age group of 45 years and above.
The third strategy is healthcare and a large number of steps have been taken by the government to increase the oxygen supply, increase the number of beds for people who would need it.
Giving a sense of how a section of the general public are taking the COVID-19 situation lightly, the Chief Minister informed that there are 12,000 applications for passes.