MAWKYRWAT/TURA/JOWAI/NONGPOH/NONGSTOIN, June 15: Following in the footsteps of her East Khasi Hills counterpart, Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills Caramai Kharkongor, on Tuesday, issued an order on reopening Mawkyrwat market but with a catch. In the order, the DC stated that the market will reopen Wednesday onwards under the odd-even rule, while adding that all shopkeepers should be vaccinated.
The guidelines clearly state that for shops to reopen at the market, shopkeepers should be vaccinated. “Shops should be open according to the timing set by the office, that is, from 9 AM to 5 PM. Number should be displayed in front of the shops, maintain social distancing, hand sanitiser should be kept in the shops, shopkeepers should wear two masks and sell only to those wearing mask, display the COVID-19 protocols, close during lockdown except shops in localities and pharmacies,” the DC said in the order.
According to the order, shops with the registration number 1 will be allowed to open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while the shops with the number 2 will be allowed to open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The shops at the market which are not permitted to open include shops selling meat, fish, ‘kwai’, ‘tympew’, tobacco, vegetables and shops selling tea. Restaurants are allowed to open only for home delivery and with strict adherence to protocols.
Balat village contained
In a separate order, the DC declared the entire Balat village under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division as containment area after a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases was detected after random testing conducted in a single day. The DC, meanwhile, lifted the containment order from Mashehkola market under Ranikor in consideration of contact tracing status and test reports of high-risk contacts in the village.
The DC, in another order, declared the house and compound of Bralin Marwein in Mawbidong village under Mawkyrwat Block as containment area after detecting positive cases/high-risk contacts of COVID-19 in the area.
Over 20% positivity rate in Bakur
The Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) of Amlarem, in an order, declared areas under Upper Bakur and Dong Iew Bakur of Bakur village as containment areas on grounds that results of active surveillance/random sampling carried out on June 14 resulted in deciphering a high positivity rate of over 20%.
Localities in WGH contained
A’konggre locality of Tura under Dobasipara UPHC and Daren Agal village under Darengre PHC, located on the outskirts of the town, were on Tuesday declared containment zones by the West Garo Hills district administration after a significant number of COVID-19 cases were detected from the two areas.
While a total of 14 positive cases were detected from A’konggre locality, 12 other positive cases were found from Daren Agal village under Dobasipara PHC.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, in an order, has prohibited unregulated movement of people in the two areas so as to ensure aggressive contact tracing, quarantine, testing and isolation of the positive patients.
Containment measures across EGH
In the wake of the prevailing situation arising out COVID-19, East Garo Hills District Magistrate Swapnil Tembe has imposed certain containment measures in the entire district from 5 AM of June 14.
In an order, the DC said all schools, colleges, coaching institutions and other educational institutions will remain closed till further notice. Night curfew from 6 PM to 5 AM will be imposed all over the district until withdrawn.
Williamnagar main market and Rongjeng market shops are only allowed to operate between 8 AM to 1 PM. Shops in other parts of district are allowed to open till 4 PM. Hotels and restaurant will work on takeaway or home delivery basis and no sit-in dining is allowed.
Weekend lockdown will be imposed from 6 PM of June 18 till 5 AM of June 21. Weekly markets are not allowed to open until further notice and places of religious worship shall remain closed.
Public transport will operate at 50 per cent sitting capacity, while gatherings are strictly prohibited. Funerals, however, are permitted subject to a ceiling of 10 persons and with prior permission of the DC. Weddings are not permitted.
Tourist entry and sports activities are barred.
Central, state government offices, banks and post offices are allowed to operate ensuring COVID protocols. All non-essential movement is discouraged and will be penalised, the order said.
WKH war rooms activated
In West Khasi Hills, the district administration has activated war rooms and emergency operation centre including their helpline, Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa informed after attending the meeting of the District-Level Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday.
The meeting reviewed the numbers of positive cases, recovery and fatality rate, setting up of separate clinics or counters to handle specifically for flu patients, contact tracing, testing besides vaccination coverage.
The DC also cautioned the medical team about the quantity of injection to be administered so as to avoid future complications. Lyngwa also called upon the Education Department to mobilise teachers for vaccination.
Ri Bhoi DC’s appeal
The Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi, on Tuesday, appealed to all community leaders, headmen and the public to not be complacent at this point of time as the risk of COVID-19 is still prevalent.
“All the community representatives are requested to be responsible for their own people in their community, to take ownership and be capable of protecting oneself. It is of utmost importance that each citizen should be responsible for one’s wellbeing and their family and do hope that with this we can contribute our part to make a chain reaction in safeguarding our community in general,” the DC said in a statement, while calling on the leaders to be vigilant and ensure precautionary measures.