By Anup Biswas

 

Haflong  : Following the finding of eight Covid 19 positive in the district  and in pursuance of the directives of the Assam government and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines, the district administration has decided to go for total lockdown to prevent spreading of Covid 19 from tomorrow 6 am .

 

The Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao, Paul Barua held a press meet at his office chamber today, to release the order for two weeks lockdown in Dima Hasao starting from 6^th to 19^th July next. This step has been taken in-order to curb the community transmission of COVID-19 after the 6 positive cases were detected, 5 of whom are frontline officials and one is a family member.

 

Addressing the media persons in presence of Additional SP, Manabendra Gogoi, D C stated that Police administration has been instructed to ensure strict compliance of the order as per the guidelines issued throughout the district.

 

Informing the media that this order came into effect on approval from the Assam Government regarding recommendations forwarded from his office yesterday after an emergency meeting was held at the CEM’s conference hall between the NCHAC Executive Members and the representatives from District Administration and officials of the line departments actively involved during the pandemic COVID-19, on 3^rd July last (Friday).

 

As per the guidelines grocery shops have been allowed to operate from 11 AM to 4 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with requisite 30% shops open on these days. Wearing of face masks, using of sanitizers and maintaining social distancing will have to be ensured by the people and responsibility of which will be on the shop owners, failure of execution may even entail summary closure of defaulting shops. Maintenance of the Priceline and prevention of artificial shortage will be responsibility of the shopkeepers and Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs dept and would be strictly enforced.

 

Whole sellers of grocery items are allowed to replenish stocks of retailers on Sundays and Thursdays between 3 P.M and 6 P.M while no retail selling is allowed during this period.

 

Activities relating to essential items supply from the FCI establishments shall be allowed to operate  and e commerce between 11 A.M and 4 P.M on Fridays only

 

Roadside vending of any fruits, vegetables, fish etc will not be allowed. No haats, fairs, weekly markets shall also be allowed.

 

List of licensed grocery shops enlisted with the Municipal Board office will be checked to issue permits based on regulations

 

Activities that will not be allowed during the lockdown period are all private offices and institutions, all business establishments, shops and outlets other than grocery shops, all weekly or periodical markets and fairs and all public and private or commercials vehicles

 

Exemptions are however given to pharmacies, clinical establishments, grocery and essential items shops, petrol pumps, LPG outlets. All subject to maintenance of proper sanitation and hygienic condition by the lessees. Vehicles registered under the District Administration, DDMA and those related to emergency, health services both government and private, Army/ military vehicles, paramilitary vehicles, police vehicles, Ambulance, Goods Carrying Essential Commodities vehicles and any other vehicles related to emergency are exempted.

 

Passes will be issued from the district administration through e-pass via email [email protected]/ whatsapp No. 7576943253 in case of any emergency. Maibang Sub division office will issue the passes for jurisdiction under the Maibang sub division.

 

The guideline further states that all restrictions are imposed as per the order issued by the state government on 26^th June, 2020 shall remain in place.