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Meghalaya Government issues protocols for Christmas and New Year Celebration

Shillong, December 17, 2021: In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 cases, the following SOP will be strictly followed by all Organizers/participants.

1. Introduction

At all times organizers associations and individuals must respond to the directives of Health Department or other authorities. This SOP shall be applicable to all venues located outside of a designated COVID-19 containment zone in the Districts.

2. Scope

This protocol outlines various generic precautionary measures to be adopted during Christmas and New Year Celebrations to prevent spread of COVID-19 and has been prepared after due consultative meetings with various stakeholders. children are advised to stay at home. However, persons who are fully vaccinated, i.e., have

3. Generic preventive measures:

Person above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and received both doses of the vaccine may attend the celebrations. In the interest of safety, it is desirable that all participants actively involved in the celebrations are vaccinated with at least one dose. Organizers to advise accordingly.

The generic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all (faith group) in these places at all times.

These include:

1. Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 5 feet in public places as far as feasible. Use of face masks is mandatory. Double masking is to be ensured by all.

2. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds), whichever feasible.

3. Respiratory etiquette to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to State or District helpline.

4. Spitting should be strictly prohibited.

5. Installation & use of Aarogya Setu App may be advised to all.

4. Services

The following protocols pertaining to prayer services shall be followed:

1. Church services relating to Christmas/ New Year including Midnight services during Christmas and New Year may be conducted subject to compliance to the SOP on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in religious place/ places of worship issued by the Home (Political) Department, Govt of Meghalaya vide Order No. POL. 75/2020/Pu/108 dated 13.08.2021 read with No. POL. 75/2020/Pt.1/115 dated 26.11.2021.

2. Staggered services are recommended at churches.

3. Outdoor services within the compound of the church may be held, but should not exceed 75% the capacity of the place of worship.

5. Carolling and Processions

Christmas Carolling is allowed subject to strict adherence of protocols.

6. Community Feasts.

Community feasting allowed subject to strict adherence of protocols. Church will take measures to ensure staggering of persons coming to the feast.

7. General Guidelines

1. Night curfew shall be lifted on the 24th, 25th and 31 December, to enable persons to attend midnight services. The respective Deputy Commissioners will issue orders for relaxation of curfew accordingly.

2. For all other Christmas and New Year related events/ gatherings permission should be sought from the respective Deputy Commissioners as per the existing guidelines issued by the Home (Political) Department vide POL. 75/2020/Pt.1/115, dated 26.11.2021.

Initiatives : Agriculture

Launch of “Restart Meghalaya Mission’ on 15th August 2020

The Mission comprise of a series of interventions to support farmers and entrepreneurs by enabling them to build growth-promoting basic infrastructure and services. Under this Mission, 1917iTEAMS – the IT Platform aimed at enabling farmers access to agricultural information, crop advisories and markets will be expanded logistically through induction of another 100 vehicles.

Creation of the Directorate of Food Processing on May 2018

With the objective of seizing opportunities in the sector and the untapped food processing potential of the state for uplifting the livelihoods of farmers and value chain actors, the Government of Meghalaya created the Directorate of Food Processing (DFP) as a one-stop agency to handle all matters relating to food processing in the state and to deal with all central government Ministries and Agencies (viz. Ministries of Agriculture, and Food Processing, SFAC, NCDC, NABARD, etc.) in all matters pertaining to the development of agricultural food processing sector.

First Ever Farmer’s Parliament held on 4th - 5th December 2018

The parliament was organised by the state department of agriculture in collaboration with Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) and the Hill Farmers' Union (HFU). As a step toward the promotion of new technologies, HFU with the support of Meghalaya government, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence App for farmers — called Nongrep (nongrep in Khasi language means farmer) with its software partner Impetus Solutions from Hyderabad — as a social innovation project. This app will address matters of farm aggregations, soil health and disease identification, crop yield, farm produce pickups, market linkage and retail sellers app.

Launch of the Farmer’s Portal on 7th May 2018

The Meghalaya Famers’ Portal (www.megfarmers.gov.in) of the Department of Agriculture is a platform for farmers to seek any information related to agriculture. Detailed information on farmers’ insurance, agricultural storage, crops, extension activities, seeds, pesticides, farm machineries, etc. is provided. Details of fertilizers, market prices, package and practices, programmes, welfare schemes are also given.

Awards & Recognitions
  • Meghalaya has been selected for the Commendation award in 'Total foodgrains Category-III' for 2017-18. The award consists of a citation and an amount of Rs. 1 crore.
  • Meghalaya Agriculture Department and the MIE Meghalaya Team won the '7th eNabling North East (eNorth East) Award 2019-20' in the 'Agriculture & Rural Development' category for 1917 iTEAMS project which is a project in collaboration with Digital India.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded Meghalaya on May 2018 the Krishi Commendation Award for the year 2015-16, in recognition of the commendable foodgrains production achieved by the State.
  • Meghalaya has been adjudged the Most Improved Small State in the category of Agriculture and received the India Today – "The State of the States” Award on 23rd November 2018.