Shillong Mar 23: Taking stringent measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, the Meghalaya government has declared lockdown for five days in the state.
The lockdown came into force from 10 am of Monday and will continue till 5 am of Thursday.
On Thursday, the lockdown will be relaxed to allow people to buy essential commodities, and the lockdown will again continue from March 27 till 29.
Deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong told reporters that the decision was taken by the government to put the entire state under lockdown for five days to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
“This is a ‘self imposed lockdown’ and we urge the people of the state to cooperate,†Tynsong said.
The deputy chief minister thanked the people of the state including various religious groups and organisations for cooperating with the government and sought their further cooperation in the coming days by also adopting measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
Arrangements will be made for distribution of essential groceries to local stores in the localities during the lockdown period.
Tynsong said that there is no shortage of essential items in the state.
During the lockdown period, government offices will function with an overall strength of 30 per cent.
Tynsong informed that banks will also function with restrictions mostly transactions related to cash deposits and withdrawals everyday from 10 am to 2pm.
Banks will follow strictly on social distancing and sanitizing offices and ATM machine rooms.
Tynsong informed that ïewduh, the main market in Shillong city, will be closed during the lockdown period, but on March 26, temporary markets for selling vegetables, and meat will come up at Anjalee point to Cantonment police beat house, and other places like Lad Smit, Madan Umdiengpun at 7th Miles Upper Shillong and Mawlai area, besides Polo area.
The order on lockdown will not be applicable to security forces and medical teams on duty, pharmacies and all essential services like health, power (MeECL), PHE, PWD, police and armed forces, fire and emergency services, food and civil supply, Shillong Municipal Board, telecom, telegraph and IT services, banks and ATMs.
Tynsong said that sufficient essential commodities will be available in all district headquarters, and movement of vehicles ferrying essential commodities, security forces, medical equipments and goods vehicles are also exempted from the lockdown.
“Drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols,†Tynsong said.
