SHILLONG/TURA: The East Khasi Hills district administration on Saturday declared a 24-hour virtual lockdown beginning midnight when another across the state, dubbed as ‘coronavirus awareness day,’ ended.
The lockdown will also overlap the 14-hour-long ‘Janata curfew’ from Sunday 7 am to 9 pm as called for by Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking people to stay home among other things.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma took to Facebook on Saturday seeking the cooperation of citizens to fight COVID-19. He also stressed the need on the part of those coming from outside to self-quarantine for at least 14 days.
A statement issued by the district deputy commissioner, M War Nongbri, on Saturday said the restrictions under Section 144 Cr PC which will end on Sunay midnight are in view of the prevailing situation concerning COV1D – 19 in the country to put in place preventive measures and awareness, to identify and take steps to ensure social distancing and home quarantine so that the disease does not spread to East Khasi Hills district and the state, by way of ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by Health & Family Welfare Department,
Accordingly, operation of all markets, commercial and financial establishments in the district, operation of all forms of public transport and assembly or gathering of five or more persons in public areas and premises beyond the individual households have been prohibited.
The order will, however, not be applicable to the security forces and medical teams on duty, pharmacies and all essential services including health services, MeECL, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Public Works Department (PWD), police and armed forces. fire and emergency service, Food & Civil Supply Department, Shillong Municipal Board and Telecom Department .
Shutdown complete
The 24-hour shutdown called by the state government for overall safety of the masses from the prevaling threat of COVID-19 evoked positive response from the citizens.
In Shillong, although the movement of private vehicles was not barred many chose to stay indoors and adhere to the request of the state government as there were very few private vehicles plying in the city.
The streets wore a deserted look with the markets closed. Sanitisation work was carried out at various parts of the state and presence of security personnel prevented the gathering of more than five individuals.
While it was a shutdown, strong deployment of police personnel was seen in Police Bazar and Motphran and very less people ventured out of their homes.
Meanwhile, the public lauded the effort undertaken by the state government.
“We are aware that the most important thing at this juncture is social distancing and hand hygiene, but many are unaware and some are not taking things seriously and such initiative of the government works as a reminder that things are serious,” said a lady, D Kharkongor.
She further hoped that people would adhere to the advisories issued by the Centre and the state government. Yet another concerned citizen, Meghna Das, said that these are important steps and everybody should cooperate.
H Jhunjhunwala said that the situation across the globe is critical and the coming two weeks are essential.
He hoped people would understand the magnitude of the situation and work in sync with the government.
All five districts of Garo Hills also went into total lockdown with government and private establishments shut and vehicular traffic off the roads.
There were a few initial hitches in Tura as a local weekly market came up in one corner of the town, at Doldegre Jail Road, during the morning hours as many vegetable sellers were unaware of the closure directive. A large number of people flocked to the site to purchase food items. They were later advised to return home by officials.
Similar confusion prevailed in Dainadubi and Kharkutta areas of north Garo Hills district with public venturing out on to the markets only to be asked to go back by the authorities.
The largest weekly market at Najing Bazar in the heart of the town was also shut down for the day and similar scenes were witnessed at other towns and villages across the Garo Hills region.
