Shillong July 1: The Meghalaya government on Wednesday has warned strict action against those who do not follow COVID-19 protocol.

“The government has empowered the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in all the districts of the state to implement the protocols strictly and take necessary action against violators of COVID-19 protocols which include not maintaining social distancing and not wearing face mask,” Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong told reporters.

Tynsong informed that during the review meeting on Wednesday, the issue related to protocols issued by the state Health and Family Welfare Department was discussed especially after seeing many people taking the protocols and notifications issued by the government lightly.

“We have decided that formal requests would be made to the local authority like Dorbar Shnongs as well as organisations that the protocols should be adhered to strictly,” he said.

Tynsong said that all these while, the government has been making appeals to the citizens to follow the protocols but people did not take it seriously.

People have been violating the social distancing norms while venturing out in public places including markets and shops.

Tynsong said that it was the support and cooperation received from the Dorbar Shnongs that the government has been able to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

Earlier around 7000 community management committees on COVID-19 were constituted in various localities in urban areas and villages in rural areas to fight against the virus.

These committees at the village level worked hard by implementing the protocols strictly and also set up the community quarantine centres for stranded citizens who returned to the state from other parts of the country.