The Assam government on Wednesday issued new guidelines imposing stricter restrictions from 5 am, May 13 to curb the spread of COVID-19.
As per the latest order issued by Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua, all offices - both government and private, educational institutions, religious places and weekly haats/bazaar will remain closed for the next 15 days in urban and its adjoining areas. A total ban on movement of people from 2 PM to 5 AM daily has also been imposed.
“The positivity rate of COVID-19 cases in the urban and adjacent areas have shown significant surge in the COVID-19 cases during the last few days and require stricter COVID containment measures,” the order stated.
What's allowed and what's not allowed:
- All shops and commercial establishments will shut down at 1 PM on all days.
- Weekly haats/zazaars will not be allowed for 15 days.
- Restaurants, dhabas and other eateries can entertain dine-in guests only up to 1 PM after which only home delivery of food will be allowed. Restaurants operating within a hotel or resort can allow outside guests up to 1 PM only after which only in-house guests of the hotel/resort may be given room service.
- Delivery of essential goods through e-Commerce may continue with observance of COVID appropriate behaviour.
- Cold storages and warehouses may continue after 1 PM. However, sale counters, showrooms etc attached to these warehouses or cold storages will not be allowed to open after 1 pm.
- Pharmacies, hospitals, animal care centres and Veterinary clinics allowed to operate without restrictions being providers of essential and emergency services.
- All educational institutions including schools/colleges/universities must provide quality virtual options. No physical classes will be allowed for 15 days.
- All offices, both government and non-government to remain closed for 15 days.
- Government/semi-government officers in the rank of deputy secretary and above and senior executives in non- government sector along with their key support staff will be allowed to attend office up to 1 PM only for emergency and essential works.
- In case the test positivity of COVID-19 in any area reaches 5 per cent or more in the last one week, District Magistrate will notify such areas as containment zones and ensure necessary containment measures for COVID-19.
- Marriages and religious functions will be only private affairs and be allowed with the presence of a maximum of 10 persons. No reception parties will be allowed post or pre-marriage,
- Funeral/last rites-related gatherings should not be more than 10 persons.
- AlI religious places will remain closed for 15 days. However, the religious head of a religious place or his representative is allowed to perform minimal religious rituals/prayers.
- AIl public transport will be allowed to operate only upto 30 per cent of seating capacity. Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis asked to operate with one driver and two passengers. Pillion riding will be totally prohibited in two wheelers, except with women and children.
- All vehicles other than government vehicles will be allowed to ply in accordance with an odd-even formula to be decided by the jurisdictional District Disaster Management Authority between 5 AM to 2 PM. However, the restriction wouldn't not apply to personal vehicles used for medical emergencies.
- There will be a total ban on the movement of individuals from 2 PM to 5 AM daily.
