TURA/RESUBELPARA, Aug 19: With COVID-19 cases in Meghalaya continuing to see a declining trend, the district magistrates of West Garo Hills and North Garo Hills have issued a slew of fresh relaxations for the general public.
In West Garo Hills, District Magistrate, Ram Singh, has allowed opening of places of worship on Saturdays and Sundays between 9 am to 3 pm. However, the public has been asked to exercise utmost caution and strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols during their visit to their respective places of worship.
In all religious places like churches, temples, mosques and other places of worship, the maximum number of people allowed should not exceed one-third of the seating capacity, the number of people allowed in marriage rituals in the places of worship should be limited to one-third of the seating capacity or 50 persons, the attendees in engagement or marriage ceremonies outside the places of worship should not exceed 20 people, the directive in this regard said.
Meanwhile, in North Garo Hills, District Magistrate RP Marak has permitted all shops to function from Monday to Friday between 8 am and 4 pm. In the directive, Marak has also fixed 50 per cent seating capacity for public transportation.
While shops selling perishable items such as vegetables and meat have been allowed to open till 5pm, the night curfew, however, will continue to be promulgated between 6 pm and 5 am every day.
Meanwhile, funeral gathering continues to be restricted to 20 persons while social, public and political gatherings continue to be suspended.
“Only non-contact sport activities are permitted; gymnasium and fitness centres to operate subject to adherence of COVID protocols,” the directive said.
