NONGPOH/MAWKYRWAT/TURA, Jan 4: Following the detection of five cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus in Meghalaya, different districts across the state have begun clamping certain restrictions in a bid to prevent the transmission of the viral infection.
In Ri-Bhoi, one of the affected districts, the District Magistrate in-charge of Ri Bhoi, MB Tongper, on Tuesday issued an order promulgating night curfew in the whole of Ri-Bhoi until further orders.
The night curfew will be in effect from 10 PM to 5 AM daily.
During this timing, there shall be a total ban on the movement of vehicles, the order stated. Further, the order stated that private transport will be allowed to ply on odd-even basis.
Vehicles with registration numbers ending with odd numbers would ply on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while even number registration vehicles will ply on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. On Sunday however, the odd-even rule would not apply.
Moreover, all official, public and political gatherings have been prohibited in the district, while weddings are permitted at 50 per cent of the capacity in enclosed space and maximum of 100 persons for unenclosed or open spaces. A maximum 50 persons are permitted for funerals.
Also, the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills, Caramai Kharkongor, issued a separate order with similar restrictions which will come into effect from January 5.
In pursuance of the notification of the Health & Family Welfare department on ‘Mask Wearing Protocols’ to prevent the spread of the new variant of COVID, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, on Tuesday, issued an order directing citizens to follow certain protocols.
The order directed everyone to wear a three-ply surgical mask or N-95 mask and cotton mask if worn must be layered with a three ply-surgical mask underneath. Plastic or leather masks, masks made from loosely woven material, knitted masks made of fabric that lets light pass through or masks made with only one layer of fabric do not ensure protection and are not recommended, the order added.
The order also directed all persons who are mobile or move around frequently to wear masks inside homes as well, especially when around elderly or co-morbid family members. The order also said that detailed guidelines for wearing masks including use, storage, cleaning and disposal as notified in the aforesaid government protocol are to be followed by all citizens while at the same time warning of action against violators.