TURA: With the process of contact tracing complete, the containment order which was issued for Rongjeng market was on Monday lifted by East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe and the market will continue to function while in compliance with the SOP issued in this regard.
Rongjeng Block BDO and Executive Magistrate, S N Sangma will be supervising the reopening of the market as well as decide what shops are allowed to open. The reopening is being done in three phases.
In the first phase, only the pharmacies and selected grocery stores are being allowed to open from 8 am to 2 pm while in the second phase, besides pharmacies and grocery stores, other shops as identified by the supervising Officer would be allowed to open with specified timing. Hotels, restaurants and other establishments as well as hawkers and vendors will continue to be barred in Phase-1 and 2 however, Banks and other offices will be allowed in Phase-2 as per SOP.
In Phase-3, all shops including hotels and restaurants will be allowed to open but hawkers and vendors will not be allowed on the roadside and a separate open space may be identified for them to operate with health protocols. Regular checking of the market area is to be carried out by the Executive Magistrate along with the police and a fine would be imposed on violators of health protocols. Separate food and toilet arrangements would also be made for drivers of vehicles transporting goods from outside the state.
Prior to the opening of the market, it has also been made mandatory for shops to ensure markings as well as setting up barricades to ensure that customers follow social distancing guidelines and other health protocols.