Lockdown reimposed, 10 localities declared as containment areas in Shillong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 24, 2020

As COVID-19 cases continue to spike in Meghalaya, the state government has decided to re-impose a 3-day total lockdown in the entire Shillong agglomeration from midnight of July 26 till midnight of July 29, to prevent community spread in the capital city.

As many as 10 more localities were also declared as ‘containment areas’ during a daily review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday.

“We have decided to reimpose total lockdown in the Shillong agglomeration as we want to ensure that community transmission does not happen in the entire state,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong announced after the meeting.

Tynsong informed that the 3-day lockdown will begin from Sunday midnight till Wednesday midnight. “We have no other option but to take this decision in view of the spike in the number of COVID-19 positive cases,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said further extension of the lockdown will depend on the situation. “If situation worsens, we may further extend the lockdown,” he stated while appealing to the citizens of the state to cooperate with the government in the fight against this dreaded disease.

Stating the situation in Shillong is not safe, Tynsong said, “The increase in the positive cases is not a good sign. Therefore, all stakeholders need to work together to stop the spread of the virus.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister further informed that the government has also decided to declare 10 localities in Shillong as containment areas.

These include Mawbah, Jhalupara, Mawlai Umshing, Mawlai Umjaiur, Golflink Khlieh Shnong, Upper Mawprem, Nongrah, Nongrim Hills, Lachumiere and Laitumkhrah Nazareth. This was based on the recommendation of the health department.

“We have also authorized the district administration and the health department to declare more containment areas if the need arises,” Tynsong said.