Action against misinformation
Shillong: Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, M War Nongbri, has said that stringent action as per law will be taken against those who are found causing unnecessary panic among the general public by spreading misleading information with regard to novel coronavirus. The DC has also appealed to the citizens to refrain from posting any unfounded information and to adhere and comply with all advisories issued by the Integrated District Surveillance Programme, Health & Family Welfare Department.
Exams, interviews deferred
Shillong: As part of precautionary measures to avoid any possible novel coronavirus outbreak in the state, the Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Personnel and AR (A) Department has requested deputy commissioners of all districts to cancel all examinations and interviews conducted by their respective District Selection Committees with immediate effect till March 31.
NEHU staff to work from home
SHILLONG: The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), in a notification issued on Monday, has advised its faculty members, researchers, and non-teaching staff to work from home till March 31 as part of precautionary measure to avoid any COVID-19 outbreak in the state. The NEHU Registrar has asked the faculty members/researchers to utilise this period for various academic activities such as development of online content, online teaching and online evaluation. They have also been asked to prepare lesson plan and develop instructional material for the courses to be offered during next academic year/next semester. The notification stated that the students, who could not vacate the hostels in view of shortage of time for making arrangement of tickets and other requirements to move out of the state, will be allowed to stay back subject to some conditions. The teachers have also been instructed to keep in touch with the students through e-learning and give direction about the courses.
PCI Assembly put off
SHILLONG: The working committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) has resolved the postponement of the 44th Biennial General Assembly of PCI, which was scheduled to be held during April 29-May 3 at Umroi Presbyterian Church of Ri-Bhoi Presbyterian Synod. A statement from the PCI said that it has also decided to suspend all the meetings of its standing committees and of Presbyterian Women Fellowship, Presbyterian Youth Fellowship and other meetings till further decision is made. The PCI is committed to continue to work hand in hand with the orders and notifications of the concerned authorities in a way to demonstrate a willingness to protect personal health and also the health of others, the statement further stated. “The Church has taken keen and proactive role as advised by the government. The Church is also keeping an emphasis on the seriousness of the situation,” the statement said.
Emergency service in EJH
Shillong: The Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, has informed that in view of the coronavirus scare, the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) has been activated with immediate effect until further orders. The DEOC can be contacted at 7628079707 and 7628078735.
Meet discusses measures
NONGSTOIN: The Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman, DDMA, WKH District, T Lyngwa, convened a meeting with the Superintendent of Police, ADCs, BDOs, EACs, SDOs (C) Mairang and Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division, District and Sub Divisional Heads, the Syiem of Hima Nongstoin, Mawiang, Nongkhlaw, Rambrai, Myriaw, Nobosohphoh, Nongmynsaw, the Sordar and Headmen, Parish Priest Nongstoin, Pastor in-charge of Presbyterian Church and Church of God at TRYSEM Hall on Monday, maintaining a distance among the attendants. The meeting was held in order to seek the opinion in adopting precautionary measures to fight against COVID-19 while safeguarding the citizens of the district. Lyngwa, during the meeting, sought cooperation and teamwork from all citizens including village authority, church leaders and district heads to combat the deadly virus. He also informed that food grains and essential commodities are sufficient to meet requirement and people should not panic.
Plying of vehicles prohibited in WKH
NONGSTOIN: The District Transport Officer (DTO), West Khasi Hills, Nongstoin, on Monday announced that in order to prevent outbreak of COVID-19 in the state and the district, the Transport department has prohibited the movement of all tourist taxis, maxi cabs and buses till March 31. The DTO also said that all local taxis and auto rickshaws will be allowed to ply only on March 26, where the driver will have to make sure that passengers sit while maintaining a one-metre distance among each other.
NSUI for thorough tests
SHILLONG: The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), state unit, has urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to conduct thorough tests on top of the isolation measures already taken up by the government. “Testing has proven to be the big difference in countries like South Korea, who have conducted testing on a large-scale basis and other countries who have opted for isolation. We hope to bring to light that there are number of students, who have travelled back to our state from other parts of the country or the world in the last two weeks but have not been tested so far,” the NSUI said.