Shillong, June 11: Meghalaya government has decided to extend the lockdown in East Khasi Hills district by another one week i.e. from June 14 to 21 due to the high number of cases reported in the district.
Though the number of positive cases have come down in a few Districts but since the positivity rate is still in the danger mark, Cabinet has decided to extend the #lockdown in East Khasi Hills till 21st June 2021. DCs are empowered to decide for other districts.@drharshvardhan pic.twitter.com/PY0MaZyLum
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 11, 2021
On Friday, 183 cases were detected in the district, which now has 1,877 active cases, and has accounted for 555 deaths so far of the total 714 covid-19 related deaths in the State.
For the remaining 10 districts, the respective Deputy Commissioners have been empower to decide on the lockdown, though it is expected that most districts will continue with the lockdown.
This was announced by Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma on Friday after a review meeting via video conferencing with other cabinet ministers and officials from Shillong at the office of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Jowai where he had gone to take stock of the preparedness in the districts of Jaintia Hills against the corona pandemic in view of the rising cases in West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills districts.
“We strongly felt that though the numbers are plateauing and though the numbers are coming down in certain districts, we still cannot let our guards down because we are still have not come down below the danger level. Therefore, the Cabinet has decided that the lockdown, atleast in the East Khasi Hills district will continue due to high numbers being reported,” he said.
Other districts given flexibility but with a rider
For other districts, though the decision for lockdown for either the whole district or few areas have been left to the respective Deputy Commissioners, there is a rider – no more than 20 per cent non-essentials activities or commodities will be allowed anywhere.
The CM said the administration understands that people’s livelihood are being affected a lot, “Therefore, the cabinet has decided that it will allow up to 20 per cent of non-essential commodities to be opened in different areas of the State. But that will be decided by the Deputy Commissioners.”
It means in some areas the Deputy Commissioners may allow 5% of shops to open, in other areas 10% or 15% but not more than 20% in any case in any area or market or locality.
“The Deputy Commissioners will also have the power to not allow any market to open in case they feel the situation is not conducive for the non-essential commodities to be opened. That decision will be left to the Deputy Commissioners but the Cabinet is giving the flexibility to them on this,” he said.
Also, the government has allowed plying of 20% commercial vehicles depending on districts and areas, the call for which will again depend on the Deputy Commissioners. They restrict this movement to 5 or 10 or 15 but cannot allow more than 20%. Additionally, large Public gatherings are not allowed.
