TURA/ MAWKYRWAT/ WILLIAMNAGAR/ NONGPOH/ NONGSTOIN, April 29: The deputy commissioners of various districts on Thursday announced scores of restrictions in line with the containment measures, which were announced by the state government during the review meeting recently.
West Garo Hills
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, on Thursday issued restrictions, which will be in effect till May 10.
While educational institutes have already closed down in West Garo Hills, political, social, public and religious gatherings have now been banned in the district as per the new order. However, weddings and funerals are allowed to take place provided that not more than 30 persons attend and prior permission is taken from the concerned authority.
Entry of tourists from outside the state has also been prohibited and tourist spots across the district have been directed to remain shut. The DC has also suspended international borderg trade while weekly markets have been restricted to agricultural produce.
The DC has also directed all private offices, except those providing essential services, to remain shut while non-essential central government institutions have been advised to work from home. The movement of public transport has also been restricted to one-fourth of the capacity.
Essential services like healthcare, agriculture and veterinary, home deliveries, movement of students, water supply, information and public relations and construction activities besides others have been exempted from the purview of the order.
North Garo Hills
In North Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner RP Marak on Thursday directed all educational institutes in the district to remain shut and continue with online classes till May 8. The DC, however, said that the ongoing board exams will not be affected subject to strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
The district administration has also imposed restrictions along entry points. As per the new restrictions, those entering the district through Berubari and Dainadubi including returnees from other states will be allowed to cross the entry points only before 8 pm and no arrangement for transit accommodation will be made for night halts at the entry points.
As per the order, police will also be deployed along the entry points to keep a vigil. The restriction, however, will not be applicable for medical emergency cases, police and security forces on duty and other emergency services including commercial vehicles carrying essential items.
South West Khasi Hills
South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, C Kharkongor, has barred vendors from carrying out their businesses on the roadside of the PWD roads and also in the area under the jurisdiction of the Sankur.
The DC informed that such vendors can carry out their businesses at the new temporary market near the Markyrwat Community Hall. “All the shopkeepers shall sell only to the people wearing masks and they should not allow customers to gather near their shops. If any shopkeeper is found violating the order, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner will take stern action and close their shops,” the directive said, adding that the timing for the market has been fixed from 8 am till 6 pm.
Meanwhile, in another order, the DC has also directed all lower primary and upper primary schools within the district to remain closed from May 1 until further orders. However, the secondary schools have been allowed to function half the capacity while all the board examinations have been exempted from the purview of the order.
East Garo Hills
In East Garo Hills, District Magistrate, Swapnil Tembe, has imposed night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am and directed shops and commercial establishments to close down by 7 pm.
In the order, he has also prohibited the duration of religious gathering beyond 45 minutes and over 50 per cent seating capacity, and meeting and training without prior permission.
Ri Bhoi
In Ri Bhoi, Deputy Commissioner, RM Kurbah, on Thursday directed all schools across the district to remain shut till May 15.
The DC has also said that gatherings at funerals should not exceed 20 persons and only 50 persons, with prior permission, will be allowed during wedding ceremonies. “Entry to the state is allowed through Byrnihat only and all other entry points in the district are closed, all market committees are directed to ensure that all stall owners to be vaccinated,” the DC said.
“All returnees shall inform their respective CCMC prior to their return and the CCMC will ensure availability of quarantine facilities for the returnees. Locals going to Guwahati and returning on the same day as well as day trippers from northeast state should be tested. The Market Committee and the Dorbar Shnong are to issue odd and even numbers to all shops within their jurisdiction so that they open on alternate days with immediate effect,” she added. (Contd on P-4)
DCs impose more…
(Contd from P-3) Meanwhile, Kurbah has also exhorted the citizenry, including the village leaders, to lend a helping hand in the fight against COVID-19.
West Khasi Hills
The Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills has directed all government employees posted in the district to remain in the perspective headquarters from May 1 till further order.
Anyone found taking advantage of the situation and leaving the headquarters without prior permission from the deputy commissioner will be taken to task, the DC said adding that the directive also applies to all civil sub-divisions.
On the other hand, the DC, following a meeting of Citizen Support Committee held on Thursday, decided to close all lower-primary schools from April 30 to May 9. Also, the DC has imposed night curfew in the district with effect from May 1 to 15 between 10 pm and 5 am.
