SHILLONG/TURA, May 1: Shillong urban agglomeration, Tura and Jowai came under the 10-day containment measures from Saturday.
The state government took the steps to try and curb the rising cases of COVID-19.
The containment measures are, however, different from the lockdown which was imposed last year. People moved about with ease while private vehicles plied in Shillong although the volume of traffic was less.
Many shops, dealing in essential commodities, were open. The eateries were, however, closed all over the city.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo said shops dealing in essential items have been allowed to open. She said the other shops will open by following the odd-even formula.
She said the magistrates in the field will keep monitoring the enforcement of containment measures even as she stated that it was not a curfew. She said maximum consideration is being made for people who are daily wagers. She said non-essential movement is not being encouraged.
“If people remain indoors, there is a greater chance that we can reduce the spread of the virus,” Laloo said.
Laloo also informed that some vehicles were stopped by police for using expired passes and they were let off with warnings and added that fines would be imposed on such violators from Monday.
She further informed that a bus ferrying returnees to Shillong was intercepted after escaping from the Umling entry point and was directed to move to Polo for testing of the passengers.
One more bus transiting through Meghalaya to Silchar was checked and passengers embarking at Shillong were directed to undergo testing.
In addition two cases of violation of isolation protocols were reported and appropriate instructions have been given to the magistrate concerned, she said, adding that four shops were closed in Golf Links Pdengshnong for violation of protocol.
She warned that if people defy the protocols causing a spike in the cases, the administration may be forced to employ stringent measures.
According to the DC, 1971 doses of vaccine were administered on Saturday which was below par as compared to the previous days. She attributed the low numbers to the containment measures and the inclement weather.
In Tura, the containment was near total as citizens adhered to the directions and only pharmacies and stores selling essential items remained open.
Vehicular traffic was down to a bare minimum and even the normally bustling Tura Bazar wore a deserted look as people remained indoors.
With the rising number of infections and even deaths from Covid-19 many commuters were noticeable wearing face masks.
The containment also gave ample opportunity for health enthusiasts to make full use of the empty streets to undertake their exercise regimen. Men and women in pairs or alone, wearing face masks, could be seen out for their evening walks in several parts of the town.
There was a brief period during the early evening hours when some sections of the road in the town was filled with vehicular traffic as people came out to either purchase essentials or an outing. This was most visible along the Araimile, Hawakhana, Ringrey and Chandmari stretch of the route.