Gathering of over 4 people prohibited in West Jaintia Hills District

Meghalaya: The District Magistrate of West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC from October 5th in the entire District including Amlarem (Civil) Sub-Division, Thadlaskein Block, and Laskein Block, until further notice. Gathering for more than four people have been banned from 5.00 AM to 9.00 PM each day till further orders. This has been done to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

According to the order, it is mandatory that everyone maintains social distance of at least six feet, wears face mask, and strictly follows all the advisories issued by the Government.

Cinema halls, entertainment parks, swimming pools, bars, auditorium, assembly halls, theatres, and other recreational places are not allowed to open. Gatherings including social, political, entertainment academic, cultural, and religious functions are prohibited too. The order prohibits consumption of liquor, pan, gutka, tobacco, and spitting in public areas.

The gatherings related to funeral and last rites should not have more than 20 people. The wedding ceremonies will be allowed in the places of worship and the number of guests should not exceed 50 (fifty) guests or one-third of the seating capacity. But the wedding reception is suspended, till further orders.

Pregnant women, persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, and children below the age of 10 have been advised to stay at home, except for health purposes and essential needs.

All the establishments including wholesalers and retailers, outlets, shops, services in the West Jaintia Hills District are only allowed to open from 9.00 AM to 7.00 PM. The odd and even numbers shall apply to the weekly markets like Mustang, Pynkat, Khyllaw, and Pynsin at Iawmusiang, Jowai, and Lawpynsin, Wahiajer respectively.

All the commercial operations, permitted shops, establishments, services are to strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) and National Directives of Government for COVID-19 Management in Public Places and Work Places including mandatory compliance to the Advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department. All the residents should install the Aarogya Setu Application and Behavioral Change Management App and regularly update their health status.

With permission from Deputy Commissioner, the Yoga institutes and Gymnasiums, and Cyber cafés are allowed to operate and should comply with the SOPs issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and Information Technology and Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya, respectively.

The operation of food outlets along the National Highways should strictly comply with the SOP issued by the health and family welfare Department. But those in containment areas should remain closed.

The opening of football training for sports clubs, associations are allowed subject to strict compliance with the SOP issued by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department. Government of Meghalaya and with permission from the DC, West Jaintia Hills.

However, the odd and even arrangements for plying of vehicles are withdrawn in the district. The maximum number of persons allowed to be carried by different public and private transport are as follows:

For Bus – 50% of seating capacity

SUV, Sumo and Maxi Cab - 4 persons excluding driver

Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) - 2 persons excluding the driver

Auto-rickshaw - 1 person excluding the driver

Two-wheeler - 1 pillion rider restricted only to females

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