Shillong: Pointing out that laxity in following protocols, especially in big unregulated gatherings has resulted in the resurgence of cases in many parts of the country, district authorities in Meghalaya’s worst-hit COVID-19 district of East Khasi Hills has noted that “few instances of mass unregulated protest gatherings held without prior permission or basic safety protocols have been reported in the past week wherein it was seen that many people were without masks and no social distancing was observed”.
“This amounts to gross negligence on the part of the organizers at a time when efforts are being made to control cases so that most activities including livelihood-related activities can be resumed.
While necessary action will be taken against such violators, it is emphasised that all should ensure basic compliance to prohibitory orders and orders issued under the Meghalaya Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 in the interest of public health,” Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo has underscored.
“With more activities and movement of persons being permitted, it is essential that there is no laxity
in observing basic protocols to prevent another surge in cases,” Laloo said and emphasised the necessity for the people to follow all safety norms to prevent a third wave of the pandemic.
Stressing the need to speed up vaccination coverage, the Deputy Commissioner informed that 82 per cent of COVID-19 positive cases reported daily are those of unvaccinated persons, adding that from July 1 to August 29, out of 279 COVID-19 deaths in the district, 235 (85 per cent) were not vaccinated with even a single dose.
“The general public is urged to come forward for their second dose of vaccination within the recommended time to get full protection against the disease,” Laloo iterated and appealed to the public to go for early testing, which is essential to ensure proper monitoring and prevent serious illness and death.
