West Jaintia Hills: COVID Preventive measures to be taken for Christmas, New Year Celebration

Shillong: The District Magistrate of West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya had issued COVID-19 precautionary measures to be adopted during the Christmas & New Year Celebration on December 17. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home.

These generic coronavirus preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

1. Individual must maintain a minimum distance of 5 feet in Public places as far as feasible. The face mask has been made mandatory.
2. Washing of hands even when they are not visibly dirty or frequent use of alcohol-based sanitiser.
3. Greetings through hugs and kisses are discouraged.
4. People must maintain respiratory etiquettes which involve the strict practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing of used tissues properly.
5. Spitting should be prohibited.
6. Installation and use of the Arogya Setu App are advised to all.
7. Church services for Christmas/ New Year including Midnight services during the Christmas and New Year season may be conducted according to the SOP on preventive measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in various religious/places of worship issued by the Home (Political) Department, Government of Meghalaya vide Order No. POL.75/2020/Pt.I/Dt.25-09-2020.

Outdoor services within the compound of the Church may be held, however, should not exceed one third the capacity of the venue, or a maximum of 200 persons, whichever is less, by maintaining proper distancing.

Mobile carolling and procession are prohibited. Instead, carolling may be done within the church premises/ designated hall and in a localised manner as per the Social distancing norms laid down in SOP on preventive measures to contain COVID-19 in religious places/places of worship issued by the Home (Political) Department, Government of Meghalaya vide Order No. Pol.75/2020/Pt.I/69, Dt. 25-09-2020.

Community feasting is also not recommended. For all other Christmas and New Year related events/gathering permission has to be sought from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, Meghalaya.

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