The Meghalaya government on Monday will pay an amount of Rs 1,000 per worker per week to building and other construction workers on account of the shutdown in view of the threat posed by Covid-19.

Principal secretary (labour) D.P. Wahlang said the order will be applicable from Monday till March 29, and will be reviewed on March 30.

An official said about 34,000 registered workers will benefit from the scheme announced by the government.

Wahlang asked employers of public and private establishments not to terminate or force employees to go on leave without wages/salaries. If any worker takes leave, he/she should be deemed to be on duty without any consequential deduction in wages for this period. If the place of employment is to be made “non-operational” due to Covid-19, the employees of such units will be deemed to be on duty.

“No action should be taken by the employer, which could weaken the financial condition of the employee and deepen the crisis,” Wahlang said.

Meghalaya will implement the odd-even scheme for plying of private vehicles here while closing down inter-district vehicular movement.

On Wednesday, private vehicles with odd numbers will be allowed to ply while on Wednesday, even number vehicles will be moving.

The same process will continue till Sunday. While the main market will be closed, temporary markets for vegetable and meat will be set up at Anjalee point to Cantonment Police Beat House, Lad Smit, and Madan Umdiengpun — 7th Mile, Upper Shillong. The government will make arrangements for distribution of essential groceries to local stores.

It will close down offices at the secretariat level with immediate effect till March 31. Around 17 offices will be closed, including the arts and culture department, border areas, cabinet affairs, and chief minister’s secretariat.