SHILLONG/MAWKYRWAT/ NONGSTOIN/ AMPATI/TURA: The district administrations of East Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Garo Hills and West Garo Hills have imposed total curfew in the districts in the aftermath of the first COVID-19 case reported in the state.
A doctor from Bethany Hospital, Nongrim Hills, was reported as the first COVID-19 case in the state on Monday.
In East Jaintia Hills, the district magistrate, in an order issued here on Tuesday, promulgated 48-hour curfew in the entire district with effect from April 14 till 6am of April 16 under Section 144 CrPC read together with the regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Disease, 2020.
The opening of wholesaler and retailer shops as well as arrangements with regard to opening of wine stores and bonded warehouses has now been cancelled. All curfew passes barring essential services and medical emergencies have also been suspended for the period of 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the EJH district magistrate, in a separate order, has also directed all factories and workshop in the district to remain closed except firms dealing with medical supplies/equipment and food-related industries. All cement and coke plants are prohibited to transport cement products during the period of lockdown, the operation and maintenance activities at the cement plant and coke plant are to be limited to 25 per cent capacity and to also follow the health advisories.
In South West Khasi Hills, the district magistrate has imposed curfew in the district with immediate effect till April 16.
The SWKH district magistrate has also directed all markets to remain shut and has prohibited movement of individuals or vehicles, including inter-district movements as well as any gathering.
In West Khasi Hills, the district magistrate has imposed curfew from 5pm of April 14 till 4am of April 16.
The order will not apply to medical teams on duty, police, fire and emergency service & FCI duties, petrol and diesel vehicles, print and electronic media, MeECL, government officials on duty, shops selling rice and baby food, the order said.
The district magistrate of South West Garo Hills has also imposed curfew in the district in view of the pandemic with immediate effect until further orders.
The SWGH district magistrate has also ordered the complete closure of all liquor shops, bonded warehouses, inter-district and inter-state movement without valid car passes, public transport, weekly markets, regular markets, commercial and financial establishments in the district.
Similarly, the West Garo Hills district magistrate has also imposed various restrictions in the district. The order will remain in force till 6 am on Wednesday.