No lockdown but stricter Covid protocols in Assam

Ruling out an imposition of lockdown, the newly sworn-in Assam government on Wednesday said that the government will strictly enforce the COVID-19 protocols to ensure that the spread of the infection could be contained.

Guwahati: Ruling out an imposition of lockdown, the newly sworn-in Assam government on Wednesday said that the government will strictly enforce the COVID-19 protocols to ensure that the spread of the infection could be contained.

Assam Chief Secretary Jushnu Baruah and Director General of Police, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta on Wednesday addressed a press conference and said that the law enforcers will be stricter in enforcing the Covid-19 protocols and that any violation will be dealt with very strictly. The new strict rules will be in force from 5 am on Thursday and it will be in force for 15 days.

As per the new instructions, all the shops and commercial establishments will be closed at 1 pm within a 5 km radius of towns and municipal areas. "Movement of people have been stopped in public places from 2 pm to 5 am," Baruah said adding that in rural areas, however, the commercial establishments can be kept open till 2 pm.

He further said that there will be a night curfew from 6 pm to 5 am every day for the next 15 days. All the restaurants, dhabas and eateries can operate till 1 pm, beyond that consumers will have to go for home delivery service. The government has also closed all the educational institutions and the state and central government offices for 15 days. The emergency services are, however, exempted from the purview of the new rules and restrictions.

The government has also decided to declare a containment zone in areas where there are five per cent Covid-19 positive patients, the Chief secretary said.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahanta said that only ten persons are allowed to participate in marriage and cremation ceremonies. He said that all religious institutions have also been closed for 15 days except cremation rituals.

"In public transport, only 30 per cent passengers are allowed while autorickshaw and cabs can carry only two persons besides the driver. Pillion riding was restricted with exception to women and children," he said adding that besides the government vehicles all private vehicles can operate on a basis on odd and even numbers to be fixed by the district magistrate.