Guwahati: Amid the soaring COVID-19 numbers in the state of Meghalaya, the District Magistrate of the West Jaintia Hills district on Friday extended the night curfew in the district from September 11, 2020, until further orders. The night curfew shall be applicable from 9:00 pm to 5:00 AM each day.
In an order issued on Friday, the DM Garod LSN Dykes said the decision was to put in place as "preventive measure, mitigation measures and to take more stringent steps so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in West Jaintia Hills district..
The District Magistrate, however, said that the order will not apply to security forces, medical teams on duty, wholesale and retail pharmacies, police and armed forces, fire and emergency service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supply Department, FCI, Public Works Department (PWD), Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Jowai Municipal Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications & IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media and Petrol Pumps. Moreover, home delivery of food items shall be exempted only up to 10.00 pm.
Essential services including health services, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary clinic and labs, authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government officials on duty, Officers and staff of Corona Care center, Information and Public Relations Department, National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) shall also be exempted, said the DM.
The order also exempts the movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipment, and shops for the repair of trucks on highways. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols, said the government's order.
Curfew passes for timings falling between 9:00 pm to 5:00 am with effect from September 11, 2020, until further orders can be obtained via online application at the official website (www. megedistrict.gov.in/ westjaintiahills.gov.in).