SHILLONG/TURA: With the Centre announcing extension of the lockdown till May 31, the state government has also decided to continue with night curfew across the state.
While the curfew was extended to 6 am of May 22 in East Garo Hills, the same will continue in West Garo Hills District till 6 am of May 23. As in previous orders, the movement of individuals from 7 pm to 6 am has been prohibited in both districts and there shall be no plying of vehicles except those ferrying essential commodities during that time. The South West Garo Hills DC, Ch. Ramakrishna, informed that night curfew has been imposed from 7 pm to 6 am in the entire district with effect from May 18 and will remain in force until further orders.
In South West Garo Hills additional activities like operating of tea stalls within the district excluding those that are located on National Highways and dry cleaning shops in the district are permitted to open from 7 am to 1 pm daily except Sundays.
A separate notification issued by the deputy commissioner has also exempted all vehicles used for carrying or transporting and procuring essential commodities from outside and within the district are exempted from purview of the curfew. However, all drivers, handymen and labourers in the back of such vehicles are to strictly maintain the protocol of social distancing and wearing of masks as issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department.
Vehicle movement, both private and public within East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills is being allowed up to 50 per cent on odd/even basis from 9 am to 5 pm.
However, the operation of all forms of public transport will be regulated by the respective District Transport Officers to ensure that all vehicles operate at 50 per cent alternate seating arrangements. The plying of auto rickshaws is also being allowed on odd/even basis.
All kinds of construction works and projects will continue in both districts while all shops barring those located in crowded and main market areas which were allowed to open in the earlier order will continue with the same timing.
However, all these shops have been directed to maintain the set guidelines like social distancing.
In rural areas, all shops except tea-stalls, restaurants and dhabas will remain open by following social distancing norms strictly from 8 am to 4 pm each day.
In East Jaintia Hills District night curfew has been promulgated from 7 pm to 6 am till May 31.
The private and commercial establishments and shops, services shall open in all villages and localities of East Jaintia Hills with effect from May 18 to May 31 until further orders.
The order from the District Magistrate said that the retailer shops that are scheduled to open from 9 am to 1 pm for five days of the week from Monday to Friday.
All the Fair Price Shops under NFSA and non-NFSA and SK Oil Retailers in the district will open from 9 am to 5 pm for five days from Monday to Friday as for wholesaler shops the time allotted is from 2 pm to 5 pm for same five days of the week.
Permission has also been given for operation of all agriculture and allied sectors activities are also allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and wearing masks.
In East Jaintia Hills, tea stalls is only allowed to be open in rural areas barring those along the National Highway. Vehicle movement is allowed in the district on an odd/even basis.
