TURA, Jan 12: After a close-to-a-year gap, the only border haat in Garo Hills region that conducts weekly trade with neighbouring Bangladesh, situated at Kalaichar in the district of South West Garo Hills, has been allowed to reopen from Wednesday, albeit with COVID-related protocols in place.
The Kalaichar border haat was closed in March last year subsequent to the COVID-induced lockdown.
According to a statement, the directive to reopen the border haat was notified by South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ch. Ramakrishna.
“Following the permission to reopen, the border haat will function on the haat days, i.e., Mondays and Wednesdays with conditions that Kalaichar Border Haat Management Committee will ensure strict compliance to the health protocols by arranging thermal scanner, hand sanitisers/hand wash/soap at the entrance during haat days and ensuring physical distancing. All are to wear proper masks during the haat days without fail,” the statement said.
According to the directive, the entire compound of Kalaichar border haat will have to be disinfected after every haat day. “No visitors are to be allowed unless permission is obtained from the competent authority,” the statement said.
