In view of the recent COVID-19 surge, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced new COVID-19 restrictions in the state. He said that the state has been under COVID-19 third wave since January 1 and all Covid-19 cases in the state will be presumed as Omicron variant.
“To get confirmation details of Omicron, we need to conduct genome sequencing, which takes 4-5 days. By this time, the patient recovers from Covid-19, but has already transmitted the Omicron variant. Hence, we have decided from now we will presume each new Covid-19 case in Assam to be that of Omicron variant,” the chief minister said while briefing the media on Friday.
Assam on January 5 reported its first Omicron case and on Friday, it reported a total of 1,167 daily new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths due to the illness.
In view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, the chief minister cautioned that the number of new infections will be much more than the first and second waves of Covid-19.
After reviewing the situation in the state, as a part of the preventive measures, the chief minister also announced revised night curfew timings effective from January 8, from 10 pm to 6 am.
And, those who wish to visit public places like restaurants, government offices, malls, etc are to produce mandatory double vaccination report, he said.
"Everybody should be vaccinated. Non-vaccinated person will not be allowed to enter or got to any public places. And one should be double vaccinated," Sarma said.
Schools will remain closed for classes 1 to 5 in all districts, and for classes 1 to 8 in Kamrup-Metropolitan district with effect from January 8 till January 30 until further orders, he said.
While online classes will be held for the above mentioned classes, physical classes for classes 9 to 12 would continue thrice a week, he said, adding all classes above class 12 will continue with full classes. He urged all students between 15 to 18 years of age group to get vaccinated at the earliest.
The chief minister also said that wearing of mask at public places in the state is mandatory.
