Lockdown in Meghalaya extended till May 24

Newmai News Network
Shillong, May 13: With the CoviD-19 situation still looking grim in East Khasi Hills district despite a total lockdown, the state government was left with no option but to further extend it for another week.  
“We have decided to extend the lockdown in East Khasi Hills district for another one week and that is up to 5 am of May 24,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed after a daily review meeting held on Thursday.
The lockdown imposed since May 1 was extended on May 5 and was supposed to end on May 17. The decision to again extend the lockdown for the second time was taken based on a detailed report about the increasing number of cases in the district.
East Khasi Hills, which includes Shillong the state capital, is the worst affected district with 2,121 active cases.
"Therefore, the government has no option but to extend the lockdown for the safety of the citizens of the state," Tynsong said while appealing to all citizens to strictly follow the protocols issued by the Health department.
The other 10 districts are also witnessing a surge in the positive cases.
Asked if the weekend lockdown will continue in these districts, the deputy chief minister said that the deputy commissioners of the respective districts have been asked to take necessary action depending upon the situation.
Director of Health Services (MI) Dr Aman War meanwhile has expressed hope that the surge will recede by next week. “By next week or the week after next we will see the effect of the lockdown,” he said.