TURA: In continuation with the earlier order, Curfew under Section 144 Cr PC together with the Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulations 2020, has been extended in the entire West Garo Hills District from 6:00 AM of 8th June, 2020 till 6:00 AM of 15th June, 2020.
The curfew which comes into force with immediate effect has the same prohibitions and exemptions issued earlier such as closing of all educational institutions, but expected to maintain the academic schedule through online teaching, any assembly whatsoever and while enforcing this every individual to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, wearing of mask, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow without fail, the various protocol and advisories of the Government in the Health & Family Welfare Department at all times, prohibiting Inter-State Movement of persons will continue, prohibiting movement of individuals between 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM in the entire District of West Garo Hills and no plying of vehicles other than Essential Commodities.
As per the new order, religious places of worship will start to function with compliance as per Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) issued by the Government of Meghalaya, Political Department and advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya, Health &Family Welfare Department. Further, movement in public and work place without a Mask is not allowed.
As per the new order, all weekly markets, regular markets, commercial and financial establishments in West Garo Hills including those in the Meghalaya-Assam Border will continue to remain closed.
Further, as mentioned in the earlier order, the Grocery stores, Vegetables, Fruits, Milk and Meat outlets, Animal Feed and Agriculture machinery spare parts and repairs shops will continue to remain open.
Meanwhile, the permission for the operation of private transport within the district to the extent of 50 % and plying on Odd/Even basis from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM will continue with the Odd Registration number on Odd Day and Even Registration Number on Even Day. Four wheeler vehicles will have maximum two persons besides the vehicle driver and for two-wheelers, one pillion rider, either female or child below the age of 12 years is allowed as per the new order.
Further, the operation of all forms of Public Transport being regulated by District Transport Officer and allowed to the extent of 50 % and all vehicles to operate at 50 % alternate seating arrangements and Auto Rickshaws on Odd/ Even basis to continue.
As per the earlier order, the operation of Legal Brick Kiln in rural areas, all agriculture and allied sector activities like farming, harvesting, marketing and transportation of produce, MGNREGA works, Construction works, irrigation projects, buildings, industrial project in rural areas and outside Tura Municipality area, quarrying of chips and aggregate and transportation and all these activities should be implemented with strict maintenance of social distancing and other advisories which needs to be monitored by their respective department heads also remains the same, however for transportation activities pass have to be obtained from Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Tura.
Moreover, in situ Construction activities being allowed in Tura Municipality area, but subject to labourers already available at the worksite and not sourced from outside and subject to due permission from the Town Planner and COVID Health Advisory also remains the same.
Further, the services of Common Service Centres and Services provided by self employed persons like electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters remains the same.
In addition to these, opening of Restaurants/ Cafes/ Food-Outlets/ Tea for Home Delivery and take away service which has been allowed except Tura Main market area subject to strict compliance to all protocols and guidelines remains the same.
Moreover, the exemption of Senior Citizens who are above the age of 60 years from obtaining vehicle pass and curfew pass, but they should carry their valid photo Identity card along with them as proof of age while they travel and the order for opening of private clinics, nursing homes and lab with all their medical professional and staff and their inter State movement subject to ensure strict compliance to all protocols and guidelines remains the same.
Meanwhile, in Tura Town area all shops to remain open excluding barber shops/ beauty parlour/ salons from Monday to Saturday each day Tura Super Market, Urban Marketing Hub, Sundare Shopping Complex, Rikman Shopping Complex, N M Complex, Sora Complex, GHADC New Building and Bazaar India Shopping Mall as per the order issued by the TMB and will be monitored by Tura Municipal Board. However, Bazaar India Shopping Mall Tea Shops, Dhabas and restaurants will remain closed. Hawkers on crowded junctions and main road are not allowed as per the order and all shops to maintain social distancing norms strictly and the time for opening of shops is from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.
Further, repairing services for kitchen appliances and travel agencies will continue to open.
In Rural areas, all shops except tea-stalls, restaurants and dhabas will remain open by following social distancing norms strictly and the timing is from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.
Exemption of the order for Security forces, Medical teams on duty and essential services, MeECL, Public Health Engineering (PHE), PWD, Police and Armed Forces, Fire & Emergency Services, Food and Civil Supplies department, PDS Wholesalers/Dealers and FCI Staff, Petrol Pumps and LPG delivery, Tura Municipal Board, Telecom, Telegraph Communication, IT Services, NIC, Print and Electronic Media, Banks & ATMs, Treasury and all Postal and Courier Services, Vehicles carrying Essential Commodities, food items, medical equipments or other goods, Home delivery, Community delivery vehicles with valid passes issued by the District Administration remains the same.
Further, while directing everyone to Stay At Home, the District Magistrate, West Garo Hills has advised to wear Mask and Cover the mouth when coming out in emergency which is mandatory and spitting in public place is prohibited.
Any person violating these lockdown measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions as applicable