Shillong, May 3: The East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner has made arrangements for opening of essential shops at Iewduh during the containment period till May 10.
According to the order, the wholesale fish stalls and vegetable shops will open daily from 7 am to 7 am except on Sundays. Fruit shops will open on a rotation basis @ 8 shops per day from 7 am to 7 pm and grocery wholesale shops will also open on a rotation basis @ 11 shops per day from 7 am to 7 pm . The Incident Commander, Zone-IV and the Syiem of Hima Mylliem will regulate the opening of the shops.
The deputy commissioner has informed that the shopkeepers would be responsible for maintaining physical distance between the customers, and avoid crowding at all times.
“People should not shake hands, come in direct contact or hug each other in greeting and all
customers should wear masks all the time while purchasing things from the market. They should practice hand-hygiene and physical distancing”, the deputy commissioner said.
The deputy commissioner said that the market committee under the Syiem of Hima Mylliem is authorized to levy fines on shop owners/people who do not adhere to the Covid-19 protocols or spit in open/public places.
“Market committees must ensure that regular sanitization of the markets is carried out before and after business hours and also frequently touched parts like door handles/knobs are regularly cleaned and they must ensure that customers bring their own bags and avoid the use of plastic bags as much as possible to minimize the chance of spread of the virus, as it lasts longer on smooth and non-porous surfaces in comparison to porous surfaces like cloth”, the deputy commissioner said.
According to the order, there should be minimal time spent by the customers at a shop. More exposure might lead to cross-infections.
“Markets must encourage cashless transactions, wherever feasible to minimise direct contact”, the DC said.
