SHILLONG/MAWKYRWAT/NONGPOH/AMPATI, April 27: As Meghalaya copes with an unprecedented surge in the cases of COVID infections, the government has decided to vaccinate inmates against COVID-19 across all jails in the state starting Shillong District jail.
This was decided in a meeting held between Health Minister AL Hek and Inspector General (Prisons) M Kharkrang here on Tuesday.
Hek confirmed that all inmates across state jails would be vaccinated and the process will begin from Shillong District jail initially. “The jails are very vulnerable places and we will have to go for vaccination or else we fear spike may take place from there,” the minister said, while informing that so far no positive case has been reported from Shillong District jail.
Reacting to a query about decongesting the Shillong district jail, the minister reiterated that the government is in the process of constructing a central jail in Shillong with the intent of decongesting the existing jail.
As of now, the jail authorities do not allow inmates to meet any of their relatives in view of the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. However, they are allowed to talk over phone or mobile.
As on February 2021, there were 417 inmates in Shillong District jail while in Jowai and Tura the numbers were 172 and 231 respectively.
The population of inmates in Williamnagar jail was 28. The Nongpoh District jail had 159 inmates.
Last year, several inmates were released from Shillong District jail to decongest the place owing to the COVID-19 scare but this year no inmates have been released so far.
HOME QUARANTINE
Meanwhile in South West Khasi Hills, the Deputy Commissioner, Caramai Kharkongor, has issued precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the district by advising seven-day home quarantine for returnees and high-risk contacts.
“In order to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus, all persons who have entered the state from outside and all those who are identified as high-risk contacts are hereby advised to undergo home quarantine for seven days even if the result of the COVID-19 test undergone is negative,” the DC said in the order.
The DC also said that all persons under quarantine should diligently follow the three recommended COVID-19 appropriate behaviour at all times— wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and practising hand hygiene.
“Also, all persons under quarantine are to closely monitor their health. Upon development of any symptoms of COVID-19, such individuals should self-report to the nearest healthcare facility, ANM/ ASHA worker. They can also report their symptoms on 14410, the state-level COVID helpline or to the District Control Room at 6909904336/ 9485153533/ 6033162971,” the Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner said.
CONTAINMENT ZONE
The Ri Bhoi District Magistrate has declared the house of one Standly Makri, at Nartap village, Ri Bhoi, as a containment zone till May 2, after detection of COVID-positive case.
Entry of all persons into the containment zone has been prohibited.
REVIEW MEET
In an attempt to control and prevent hoarding and artificial price rise during second wave of pandemic COVID-19 in the district, Deputy Commissioner of South West Garo Hills, RK Chitturi convened a review meeting with suppliers, shopkeepers, dealers, NGOs and other stakeholders on Tuesday.
Discussions were held regarding prevailing prices of essential commodities in the open market; procurement and transportation of essential commodities from other states; loading and transportation of petrol and diesel; loading, transportation and distribution of LPG and other such topics regarding pandemic.
Reviewing the availability and price situation of essential food and commodities, Chitturi warned the shopkeepers, dealers and suppliers against hoarding and any abnormality in prices of essential commodities with an intention of taking advantage of the crises and gaining unnecessary profit out of it.
He also announced that as of now, no passes are required for any passenger and goods vehicles to operate interstate as there is no such restriction, but in case if anyone faces problem regarding transportation of goods or passengers, they should bring it to the notice of DC and/or Superintendent of Police.
Briefing the need to stock up enough food and commodities, Chitturi also asked Food & Civil Supplies department to ensure that food and commodities supplied by government reaches the citizens on time.
Encouraging the shopkeepers above 45 years of age to get vaccinated, he said that this is the most important step to protect ourselves from the deadly disease.
Stressing on the need to follow COVID-19 protocols and also the need to sensitise both urban and rural areas, local MLA of Salmanpara, WD Sangma, who was also present at the meeting said, “COVID-19 is real as we can see real cases happening around us. Those who interact with people daily have to take precautions. Shopkeepers should be vaccinated and also ensure that customers follow COVID-19 protocols while they queue up in front of their shops”.
He also requested the DC and concerned departments to carry out surprise checks and inspections at every interval in order to curb hoarding; and also asked them to conduct such meetings with VECs, Gaon buras, Nokmas and others in villages.
Additional Superintendent of Police of South West Garo Hills, RR Marak, who was also present at the meeting, informed that from next week onwards, enforcement will take place at every corner of the district and those who do not comply with COVID-19 protocols and maintain etiquettes will be compounded as per appropriate sections of law.
Asking everyone present at the meeting to take responsibility to spread awareness and not solely depend on government machineries, he informed that Centre has given them task to compound the offenders of pandemic protocols but till this week they would give time to people to spread awareness to one another and encourage everyone they know or come across to follow the COVID-19 protocols strictly.
