Shillong June 1: The Meghalaya government on Monday further relaxed the lockdown lifting restrictions on inter-district movements within the state and permitting more business establishments to open.

“There will be no more restrictions of movement of people from one district to another. They are free to move within the state,” Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong told reporters following a review meeting on COVID-19 pandemic in the State.

However, he said inter-state movement of persons will continue to be restricted.

Tynsong informed that the government has also decided to allow 50 percent inter-district movement of public and private transport to operate on rotation basis which is to be decided by respective Deputy Commissioners.

In Shillong Urban Agglomeration movement, he said, 50 percent of public and private vehicles are allowed and the district administration will put in place standard operating procedure (SOP) and protocols issued by the Health Department.

Furthermore, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government has decided to allow all shops, except Malls, Saloons, Spas, Beauty Parlor, to open from June 3.

On the 50 per cent private-public vehicles, Tynsong said, these would operate on an “odd-even” basis and the transport department, District Transport Office and the Deputy Commissioner would work out the modalities.

“Local taxis will operate on a shared basis would not be able to take in more than three passengers and the concerned departments and the Deputy Commissioner would further work out the guidelines,” he said.

However, the Deputy Chief Minister cautioned that these lifting of restrictions come with strict guidelines that the health ministry has laid and these Standard Operating Procedures and protocols would have to be followed strictly by everyone.

On the other hand, the State government has turned down pleas from Iewduh, the main market in Meghalaya, traders to open shops within the market.

“It was a collective decision taken not to allow the businesses within the market to open for the time being,” Tynsong said, adding that there was no decision taken on opening Malls and Places of Worship.

However, he said that in the next review meeting discussions would be held whether to open such places