Shillong, June 29: The Meghalaya government has decided to close down all shops in Ri-Bhoi district bordering Assam’s Kamrup district from June 30 in the wake of complete lockdown in Guwahati city due to the increase of COVID-19 positive cases.

“The government has decided that the locations in Meghalaya bordering Guwahati i.e. Byrnihat, Jorabat till Khanapara will be under lockdown due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Assam. Inter-state movement continues to be restricted,” Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma announced on twitter.

However the announcement made by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong was different from that of the Chief Minister.

Tynsong said that only shops would be closed down from Byrnihat to Rani side along the roadside which is interconnected with Assam and instructions have been issued to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi District for closure of shops from June 30 to July 15.

“We leave it to the wisdom of the Deputy Commissioner to regulate. This is to ensure safety of citizens as we know that Assam has lockeddown the metropolitan area totally. In order to prevent this (spread of infection), we will close down all shops along the highway,” he told reporters in his daily briefing on Monday.

Tynsong informed that inter-state movement would not be allowed till July 15, adding that restrictions may be relaxed or further extended if the need arises, depending on the situation.

The Meghalaya government has also decided to continue providing transportation on payment basis to returnees from other parts of the country up to July 15, he said.

Health Minister, A L Hek informed that till Monday, 18,823 persons have returned to the State.