Meghalaya Villagers Create Makeshift Markets amid Corona Crisis, Follow 'Social Distancing'

Shillong, March 31, 2020:

At a time when the 21-day nationwide lockdown, seen as a way to curb the spread of the COVID-19, has raised a situation of hue-and-cry among the public with a mad scramble to purchase essentials being witnessed in all corners of the country, Meghalaya residents are creating their own temporary markets in order to ease the burden of the regular markets, which are seeing an unprecedented rush.

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Residents of Kongong, Semasi and Saipung village in East Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya have found a way out to ease pressure on regular markets by creating their own makeshift market in open fields, where sellers and buyers converge for their requirements. What makes their small small market gatherings all the more impressive is the fact that all the buyers and sellers have been seen adhering to the social distancing norms laid down by the Government to check the spread of the COVID-19.

The State's Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, upon being intimated about this development, has lauded these small-scale entrepreneurs for their enterprise. "I am very happy to witness that villagers in these remote locations have shown utmost discipline and are following the directive of the government by maintaining social distancing. This is the need of the hour, we should all be together in this initiative of creating the much needed awareness", Sangma wrote on Facebook, sharing images of this very unique market.

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Meanwhile, the administration of East Jaintia Hills has informed that the Government is working with the village headman and other stakeholders in nine different clusters of the districts to ease pressure on the market at Lad Rymbai and Khliehriat. "In this time of crisis, we have to find innovative ways to help each other", Conrad further wrote on Twitter, and added, "Together, we will be able to fight the coronavirus scare.It is difficult situation for everyone, let us have patience and battle this crisis together."

Meanwhile, the State of Meghalaya too is facing the effects of the 21-day lockdown that has brought the nation's economy to its heels. Meanwhile, in an order issued on Monday, the state education department extended the closure of all educational institutions from April 1-15. The 21-day nationwide lockdown will end on April 14. Earlier this month, an order was given to shutdown the institutions from March 17-31.

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