Assam imposes more restrictions, all offices shut in urban areas for 15 days

The Assam authorities on Wednesday ordered to shut all offices, spiritual locations and weekly markets for 15 days in urban and semi-urban areas of the state, in addition to banning the motion of individuals from 2 pm to five am in the wake of the rising COVID-19 circumstances.

Issuing a brand new set of pointers for the urban and semi-urban locations in the periphery of 5 km of municipal areas, Chief (*15*) Jishnu Barua stated all standalone outlets and industrial institutions shall shut down at 1 pm on all days.

“Complete lockdown is an option, but we are going gradually in a phased manner. We hope these measures will work in the next two-three days,” he stated at a press convention right here.

The new restrictions will come into impact from Thursday.

As per the restrictions notified by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), weekly haats, bazaars, instructional establishments and all authorities and personal offices have been ordered to shut for the following 15 days.

“Government officers of deputy secretary and above rank and senior executive in private sector along with their key support staff will be allowed to attend office upto 1 pm only for emergency and essential works,” the order acknowledged.

However, these restrictions is not going to be relevant for organisations rendering important and emergency companies, legislation enforcement companies and election works.

“All religious places shall remain closed for 15 days… Funeral/last rites related gatherings shall not be more than 10 persons,” the order stated.

Likewise, weddings and non secular capabilities will likely be solely personal affairs and be allowed with the presence of a most of 10 individuals and no reception events will likely be allowed submit or pre wedding ceremony.

“In case the test positivity of COVID-19 in any area reaches five per cent or more in the last one week, District Magistrate will notify such areas as containment zone and ensure necessary containment measures for COVID-19,” the ASDMA stated.

All public transport will likely be allowed with 30 per cent of seating capability, whereas auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, taxis shall function with one driver and two passengers solely.

“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,” the order acknowledged.

ASDMA additional stated that there shall be a complete ban on the motion of people from 2 pm to five am each day.

For the remainder of the state, all restrictions introduced earlier similar to night time curfew from 6 pm to five am with whole ban on motion of individuals at public locations on all days will proceed, besides for these engaged in important and emergency companies.

When requested why the federal government is just not contemplating imposing an entire lockdown, Barua stated that any such drastic measures adversely have an effect on the poor folks and that will likely be thought of because the final resort.

Director-General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta stated the police will implement the restrictions very strictly if the folks don’t observe them.

“If we see people crowding at any place, say in front of a permitted shop, police will be ruthless. We will use force and lathi-charge them. You may go and file cases against us, but we don’t care.

“If someone organises any function secretly at home and invites people, then it will be considered as cheating and betrayal. We will not only file a case under Disaster Management Act, but also lodge an attempt to murder case,” Mr. Mahanta stated.