SHILLONG: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of East Jaintia Hills district has issued the Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) for those running cyber cafes in the district which have been permitted to resume operations after the lockdown on account of COVID-19.

In a notification issued on Sunday, the DC said that only cyber cafes registered with the office of the DC, East Jaintia Hills district shall operate only on the days and time allowed.

Any owner or operator of the cyber cafe shall keep the respective Rangbah Shnong, Doloi informed regarding the opening of the cyber cafe and the respective timings. The operator of the cyber cafe should also ensure that social distancing of at least 6 feet is maintained at all times and that there is no crowding inside the cyber cafe. Based on the space inside the cyber cafe, the respective owner/operator shall limit the number of persons entering the premises at a time.

According to the SOP, no citizen shall be allowed inside the cyber cafe without wearing mask, which should properly cover the nose and mouth. A hand-sanitizer should be placed at the entrance of the cyber cafe so that any person who enters sanitizes their hands. The cyber cafe premises, including the items such as desktops, keyboard and mouse, tables, chairs, doors, windows, curtains, etc. should be sanitized at least thrice a day.

The SOP also states that the cash transactions, if any, at the cyber cafe, should not be done with bare hands and that gloves should be used. Provision for hand washing with soap at the cyber cafe premises should be made available and the owner or operator and the staff shall mandatorily wear masks and gloves at all times.

Additionally, the owner or operator at the cyber cafe shall ensure that the provisions outlined in this SOP are strictly adhered to failing which action shall be taken against the concerned cyber cafe.

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