Assam Govt Issues Revised COVID-19 SOP, Night Curfew Timings Changed; Details Inside

GUWAHATI: With the cases of COVID-19 witnessing a massive spike in the recent days and the presence of Omicron in Assam, the state government on January 7 issued a revised SOP effective January 8.

As per the latest SOP, the night curfew timings have been changed to 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM as a preventive measure to check the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Further, all the shops and business establishments are advised to close down by 9:00 PM.

Currently, the night curfew timings in Assam are from 11:30 PM till 6 AM the next day.

However, restrictions on public gatherings and mandatory use of masks are included in the new SOPs. 

Addressing a press meet Assam Chief Minister said that post-January 20, the state government will be able to assess the peak level which may go up to 12000 per day.

In Airport and Railway stations, all people with single vaccination and non-vaccination will go under compulsory test. Further, all under 15 years of age will also go thru the test.

However, people with the double vaccine will be provided with a leaflet, so that they can go back home and do a COVID-19 test.

Whereas. the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has Issued vide order of December 25. 2021 directives for containment of COVIO-19 for both rural and urban areas across the state until further orders:

Whereas. the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) v de order dated 27111 December 2021 has directed the States/ UTs to consider the implementation of the normative framework for taking evidence-based containment measures at district/local level as conveyed vide MoHFW advisory dated 21" December,2021until 3 1M January 2022 in view of the Initialsigns of surge In cases of COVID 19 as well as increased detection of the Variant of Conoefn (VoC) "Omicron" (Annexure-1);

Whereas. the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Assam has issued vide order of December 05,202·1 detailed guidelines for international travellers coming to Assam to contain the spread of the highly mutant SARs-CoV 2 variant.

Whereas, the status of COVID-19 In the State has aga n been reviewed and It has been observed that the number of COVID-19 cases has been gradually Increasing over thelas1 few days thereby increasing the positivity rate;

Now, therefore, in the exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 22(2) (h) of the Disaster Management Act. 2005, the undersigned, in his capacity as Chairperson. State Executive Committee of the State Disaster Management Authority, Assam.do hereby Issues the following guidelines, which are to have strictly adhered across the State for public safety and a possible outbreak of COVID with variant forms of the virus which will come into force with effect from 6 AM of January 8, 2022 and will remain in force until further orders:

A. Containment Zones;

In case the test Positivity of COVI0·19 in any area reaches more than 10 cases In the last seven days, the jurisdictional District Magistrate will not fy such areas as total containment zone in consultation with MD.NHM and ensure necessary containment measures for COVID 19.

However, n such zones, emergency services will continue round the clock and essential services including shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables. dairy and milk booths, animal fodder, etc. will remain open up to the usual time of closure.

Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce in such areas v1i1I continue around the clock,

B. Restrictions imposed:

Except for exemptions given in Annexure "Ill",

C. Other restrictions and relaxations:

1. All Government servants (including contractual and fixed pay) should be fully vaccinated and shall attend office. Employees who are not fully vaccinated will not be allowed to attend office and they will have to avail leave if available or extraordinary leave for which they will not be paid salary.
   
   However, all other employees except those whose case vaccination is contra­ indicated as per guidelines issued by the Health Department of Government of Assam and /or such claim are certified by a registered medical practitioner, will have to get themselves vaccinated and attend office.
2. Employees engaged in an emergency/essential services shall attend their duty without any restrictions at any place.
3. The organizations (Government/Private) rendering Essential/Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Services and Election work will continue working without any restrictions in all districts.

D. Public Transport (Government and private)

1. Goods transport shall continue unhindered.
2. All Public transport authorities shall enforce COVI D-19 appropriate behaviour and seating inside the vehicles, carriers, containers etc.
3. Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate for passengers with 100% seating capacity and observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour for passengers who are fully vaccinated.
4. Pillion riding on motorcycles may be allowed who are fully vaccinated. and compulsory wearing of a mask.
5. Intra-district transport, with 100% seating capacity subject to observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, shall be allowed for passengers who are fully vaccinated.
6. No standing passenger shall be allowed. A heavy fine will be imposed on such passengers and the driving license of the driver/ registration of the vehicle will also be cancelled in the event of carrying standing passengers.
7. All inter-district passenger transport and movement shall be allowed with 100% of passengers who are fully vaccinated subject to observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
8. No standing passenger shall be allowed. A heavy fine will be imposed on such passengers and the driving license of the driver/ registration of the vehicle will also be cancelled in the event of carrying standing passengers.
9. Wearing of face mask is mandatory even for a single person driving a vehicle. In case of persons travelling in any private car, up to 100 % of its seating capacity, wearing of face mask is mandatory for all the persons.

E. Educational Institutions (Government and Private):

1. All Educational Institutions including Schools/Colleges/Universities shall continue to provide quality virtual options.
2. All schools upto Class VIII in Kamrup-Metropolitan district and upto Class V in all other districts shall remain closed. No physical classes are allowed.
3. Physical classes shall be allowed on alternate days for class IX and above in the Kamrup-Metro district and for class VI and above in all other districts.
4. The physical classes in respect of Degree/Post-Graduate final year students of Engineering/Medical Colleges may be allowed with fully vaccinated students.

F. Gatherings:

G. Omicron specific regulation

1. All District Magistrates, Superintendent of Police, and all other authorities concerned shall be responsible for ensuring COVID Appropriate Behaviour viz . wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, regular hand washing and use of sanitiser, maintaining health hygiene, no spitting etc. in all shops, malls, markets, market complexes, weekly markets, restaurants, ISBTs, railway platforms/stations, cinemas /theatres/multiplexes, auditoriums/ assembly halls, banquet halls, marriage halls, schools, colleges, educational/coaching institutes, religious places etc. for containment of COVID-19 virus.
2. All District Magistrates, Superintendent of Police should ensure that the people who visit the above-mentioned places strictly follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour and are wearing masks, maintaining social distancing etc. without fail. If the aforesaid norms of COVID Appropriate Behaviour are not maintained at any establishment/ business premises/weekly market/ schools, colleges, educational I coaching institutes, libraries, religious places etc, then such premises/ weekly market shall be liable to be closed for containing the spread of COVID-19 virus and the defaulter shall also be liable for criminal prosecution under the relevant laws.
3. All District Magistrates and Superintendent of Police shall deploy a sufficient number of teams for keeping utmost vigil at public places and for enforcing COVID Appropriate Behaviour so as to avoid any possibility of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

H. Miscellaneous

1. Wearing of face mask is compulsory in all public places and non-compliance with the same will attract fines.
2. Non-vaccinated people shall not be allowed entry in public spaces in places ( except hospitals ) w.e.f. January 15, 2022. All people are mandated to carry proof of being fully vaccinated at all places. The owners of such public/private enterprises shall be responsible to ensure that the entrants are fully vaccinated by checking their vaccination status. Failure to do so shall attract penal action.
3. Shop owners shall ensure a minimum of six feet distance among customers and shall not allow more than 5 persons inside the shop at any time. In addi1ion, shop ov1ners should compulsorily keep sanitisers and hand Wash in their shops.
4. 4. Shopkeepers and customers shall have to wear masks
5. Industrial units and Tea gardens may function subject to observance of COVIO appropriate behaviour. Head of the uniUtea garden shall be responsible for ensuring soc al distancing, mask-wearing by workers and staff, sanitization on of industrial premises. thermal scanning etc.
6. Deputy Commissioners and Excise authority will continue taking strong action against illegal production and sa1e of country liquor in all the districts as a COVID containment measure.