Shillong, May 10: To enable local residents to purchase daily essential commodities and to meet their commercial requirements in Shillong agglomeration and in villages of Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and respective C&RD Blocks in East Khasi Hills District, during the national lockdown, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District has allowed opening of shops for five days from May 12 to May 16 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

All Fair price shops under NFSA and NON-NFSA, SK Oil retailers, registered suppliers and retailers of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary and Agriculture Departments will open only for sale of livestock, poultry, pet feed and agricultural inputs respectively in Shillong urban agglomeration, identified groceries and essential items shops in all the localities of Shillong urban agglomeration, vegetable, fruit, meat vendors and confectionery shops of the respective localities will also open their shops in Shillong urban agglomeration.

Selected shops have increased to 2004 numbers with 20 mobile units, so as to meet the requirements of local residents.

Listed hardware and electrical shops, home delivery of books by book stalls and mobile car repairing service consisting of a driver and two technicians/mechanics will be allowed to operate.

The Deputy Commissioner also informed that listed shops that sell, repair mobile phones, computers as well as mobile phone recharging centres, stationery shops, stand-alone automobile repair shops will remain open in Shillong urban agglomeration on May 13 and May 14 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Listed auto-spare part shops will also remain open on 13th and 14th May.

Sale of dry fish or processed fish (including tungtap and smoked fish) as notified by the Government of Meghalaya in the Political Department and sale of these items shall be restricted only in respective localities of Shillong city and in the localities of each village in rural areas.

Collection centres of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited in community halls of each locality throughout East Khasi Hills District, notified courier services for essential goods and e-commerce operations in essential goods. E-commerce operations are permitted only for the lists of essential goods as notified by the Government of Meghalaya in the Political Department.

Notified Common Service Centres, notified distribution of packaged drinking water and juices and notified authorized car wash which are registered with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board.

Pharmacies both supply and retail, Veterinary Hospitals, Dispensaries, Clinics, sale and supply of medicines and vaccines, petrol pumps, home delivery and take away of food, shops for repair of trucks located on National and State highways, services provided by self-employed persons, namely, electricians, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters and in-situ constructions in urban area and construction works in rural areas will be allowed to operate daily in all of East Khasi Hills District including Shillong urban agglomeration, Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills District.

The following commercial activities that have submitted undertakings to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District will open daily in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions and in all C&RD Blocks of East Khasi Hills District. Food processing units in rural area including rice mills and mustard oil processing, brick kilns, industrial units, cement plants (only 50% capacity), mining of limestone and boulder by lease-holder for domestic sale in the state or country. Export outside the country is permitted only through automated, elevated conveyor belt with no human intervention, quarrying of chips and aggregates including their transportation, all agriculture and allied sectors activities like farming operations including livestock farming, poultry, fishery and hatcheries, collection, processing and distribution of milk and milk products, mandis by AMPC, procurement and marketing of agricultural produce, Custom Hiring Centres, cold storage and warehouses, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of agriculture inputs, seed, animal feed and fodder, movement of harvesting and sowing related machines and implements, operation of tea industry including plantation for production, processing, packaging and marketing, transportation of all agricultural products and permission for transit and routes involved needs to be obtained from the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, without fail.

MGNREGA works with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask and 50% of private and public transport will operate as per arrangements to be released by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.

Operation of permitted services, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities shall strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the Government and mandatory compliance to the advisories of the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, Rangbah Shnongs in coordination with District Police will regulate the operation of shops, services and commercial establishments in their respective localities and villages and to ensure due compliance to the advisories of Government in the Health & Family Welfare Department with special and strict reference to social distancing concerning the COVID -19 situation.

The Deputy Commissioner requested the public to strictly maintain social distancing of at least six feet, not to overcrowd in one area or shop, to wear mask which is mandatory, not to spit in public places and to cooperate with management made by the District Administration, District Police and Rangbah Shnongs.

The Deputy Commissioner also said that similar arrangements will be made for the days to come and specific instructions will be suitably published well in advance and added that that adequate stock is available and there is no need to panic and resort to hoarding as it will have an adverse impact.