Shillong, April 20: Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, which has recorded 11 active COVID-19 cases out of which one died due to the contagious flu has been categorised as “red-zone†or COVID-19 hotspots, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said on Monday.
“There will be no relaxation of the lockdown in East Khasi Hills since all the COVID-19 positive cases was recorded in the district,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
Tynsong said the Cabinet has asked Chief Secretary, M.S. Rao to prepare the modalities to relax in other ten districts of the State which has been categorised a ‘Green Zones’ since there is no report of any positive case.
Stating that there will be no relaxation of the lockdown in East Khasi Hills district since all the COVID-19 positive cases was recorded in the district, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government will soon come out with clear guidelines on the activities which will be exempted from the lockdown.
Moreover, he said the process for classifying districts either allow or deny the relaxation of lockdown will base on the spread of infection of the deadly virus.
He also informed that the government has started the process for classifying districts based on the spread of infection to either allow or deny the relaxation of restrictions.
“Therefore, there will be no relaxation of the lockdown in East Khasi Hills since all the COVID-19 positive cases was recorded in the district,”
In his address, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had said that the lockdown will be partially relaxed in some districts from April 20 while the nationwide lockdown will continue to be in effect till May 3.
Meanwhile, Tynsong said that the Power department will be meeting tomorrow to decide of providing extension for two or three months for the consumers to pay their electricity bills.
“We had discussed this matter in the Cabinet. The Power department will formally make an announcement how many months extension would be given to the consumer to pay the electricity bills,” he said.
Tynsong said the government has received an application from 10,287 citizens of the State who are stranded outside to avail Rs 3000 one-time financial assistance.
“The Labour department has received a total number of 10,287 applications. We will be examining all the applications before we release the one-time financial assistance to all those who are stranded outside the State. I know the amount provided by the Government enough. It is a token to shows that we stands united with them at this time of crisis,” he said.
Moreover, Tynsong said that the government has received a total number of 2,15,529 applications for availing financial assistance of Rs 700 per week during the first phase of the three weeks lockdown.
“We have to complete scrutinise around 1.80 lakh applications. All the people who have got the MGNREGA job and labourer who have registered with the government will not receive this benefit. We are expected to come up with the final list in the coming few days,” he added.
