Shillong, May 1: The nationwide lockdown in the prevailing situation of COViD-19  extended by two weeks after May 4.

The home ministry has also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period, based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country into red (hotspot), green and orange zones.

There will be considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones, the government said.

Under the new guidelines, a limited number of activities will remain prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone.

Travel by air, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road will remain banned.

Schools, colleges and other educational and training/ coaching institutions; hospitality services, including hotels and restaurants; places of large public gatherings, such as cinema halls, malls, gyms and sports complexes will also stay shut.

The government will also not allow social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings; and, religious places/ places of worship.

Movement of people by air, rail and road will be allowed for select purposes and for purposes as permitted by the home ministry.

MEGHALAYA UPDATES

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said that the government has decided to allow mining activities to resume from May 4.

“After thorough deliberation, it was decided that mining activities duly licensed by the government will resume their activities with effect from May 4, this include minor and major minerals”, Tynsong told media persons here today.

He informed that a few mining industries like Lafarge, and other small industries are allowed to start their activities.

Inter-district movement and Public transport

The Government has also decided to allow – public inter-district movement.

Public transport will be allowed to resume by Monday (May 4) in the entire state barring Shillong agglomeration where restriction is still there.

“The government has instructed all DCs and DTOs to work out modalities to put in place arrangments for public transportation,” said Tynsong.

However, the total strength for public transportation will be restricted to only 25%.

Industrial activities

The government has also decided to allow the EPIP Byrnihat, Umiam Industrial Estate, Industrial units in WKH, Jaintia and Garo hills to resume their activities from May 4.

And as far as cement industries are concerned, the government has asked cement industries to submit their working plan like materials required to be transported from outside the state, the number of trucks needed in a week or day, so that the government can streamline the movement of trucks.

The Deputy Chief Minister has stated that protocols have to be maintained in these workplaces as prescribed by the Health department from time to time, which include social distancing.

“SOPs have to be followed by each unit as prescribed or issued by the health department, failing of which the government will have to close down such units, ” he warned.

Stranded students, citizens

Concerning students stranded outside the state but within NE states, the government has dedicated a team which has been created to cater to the stranded people.

“SOP will be in place very soon; we will meet again tomorrow and the local bodies will be involved in the meeting as it is necessary for local bodies to facilitate the tasks and ensure protocols are followed in their respective localities,” Tynsong said.

For students and professionals working outside NE States or working in private companies, the government will notify the registration form for those who are willing to come back to the state and the contact number will also be created for this purpose.