COVID-19: Night curfew extended in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state and in order to put in place preventive and mitigation measures so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in the state, the District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills District on Sunday issued an order and extended the night curfew in the district with effect from Dec 7 up to Dec 13 only for timings falling between 11 pm to 5 am each day.

In the order issued by Isawanda Laloo, District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills district stated that, the order has been issued under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020.

The order will not apply to medical teams and officials on COVID-19 duty, police, security and armed forces, Civil Defence and Home Guard volunteers, wholesale and retail pharmacies, Fire and Emergency service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, FCI vehicles, officers and staff of corona care centres, press, print and electronic, Information and Public Relations Department, National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Shillong Municipal Board and Telecom service.

“These services shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, limiting of field staff to the barest minimum and other advisories of Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. Movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipments and shops for repair of trucks on highways are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols,” said in the order.

Meghalaya has so far reported 12237 COVID-19 positive cases.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)