Shillong: With the rapid rise in COVID-19 infection in Meghalaya over the past week, non-essential public outlets will be shut, especially in the most affected East Khasi Hills district that includes state capital Shillong from April 23, 2021, officials said on Thursday.
On the other hand, Meghalaya recorded 180 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the number of active cases up to 1131, even as 68 more recoveries from the viral infection added up to 14,198 recovered cases so far.
Of the new COVID-19 cases detected on Thursday, Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War said 118, including 53 returnees and seven from among the armed/paramilitary forces were in East Khasi Hills district, 31 in West Jaintia Hills district, 14 in Ri-Bhoi district, 10 in East Jaintia Hills district and three were in the West Khasi Hills district.
So far, Meghalaya has registered 15, 488 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 157 fatalities.
Meanwhile, as on Thursday evening, 1,08,976 entered the state from outside since the onset of the pandemic, even as there were 27 containment zones, where active COVID-19 cases were detected.
Dr. War said 23, 265 health care workers have received the first dose of the Covishield, 17,253 have received the second dose, 35,495 frontline workers received the first shot and 23,772 the second jab, while 81,422 from among the general public were inoculated with the first dose and 9,418 have been fully vaccinated against covid-19 with the second dose, as per data released by the directorate of health services.
Meanwhile, in view of the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in the district and Shillong Urban Agglomeration, the District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills, Isawanda Laloo in an order issued on Thursday has directed all bars, clubs, cinema halls, salons, beauty parlors, yoga institutes, gymnasiums, cyber cafes, gaming parlours and swimming to remain closed from April 23 to 30, 2021 in Shillong.
Also, all computer stores and their repair shops, stationery and book stalls, automobile showrooms and car wash units, gift shops, furniture shops, photo studios, clothes and garments, musical instruments, textiles, sports equipment including cycle shops, tailoring shops, dry cleaners, footwear, bridal shop, ornaments, toy shops, home appliances, sewing, craft and novelty shops, home furnishing, flower shops, mattress and quilt shops, emporiums, electronic items, nail salons, kitchen appliances including crockery, tattoo studios, watches and clocks, spas, dance studios, driving schools, cosmetic shops have been ordered to remain closed during the same period.
Any violation will be met with strict action under the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020,” Laloo cautioned.
