GUWAHATI: Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the district administrations are been directed by the health department to restrict from conducting any kind of Bihu or other cultural programmes in the districts whenever there are 300 plus active cases.
Further, as Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup (Rural) have recorded around 2600 COVID-19 positive cases in the past few days Bihu functions have been canceled.
Meanwhile, in Dibrugarh as of April 19, the active cases stand at 109.
Speaking to the media in this regard, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said, "As of now, there are no 300 plus cases in the state, apart from Guwahati. However, the Health Department has come to the point where it has been decided that if the COVID cases spike up to 300 and above in any districts, then-District Authorities will straightway restrict committees to organize Bihu or any other kind of events from now on."
Meanwhile, the Assam government has issued new guidelines and in which all the grocery shops, shopping malls shall remain closed from 6 PM onwards starting April 20.
The new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)s issued by the government are:
And whereas, the situation of COVID-19 in the state of Assam has been reviewed and it has been observed that there is a gradual increase in COVID-19 positive cases.
Open functions to be allowed with the permission of the District Authority subject to strict adherence to COVID appropriate behavior, including wearing a face mask, maintaining respiratory etiquette, practicing hand hygiene through frequent hand washing or hand sanitizers and maintain social distancing (6 feet). While granting such permission. District Authority will assess the public bearing capacity of the open space and allow gathering of only 50% of its capacity or 400 persons, whichever is lower.
Further, the number of guests in Private functions at private venues including marriages to be restricted to 100 persons. On the other hand, funeral / last rites-related gatherings should ensure not more than 20 persons for each deceased.
Religious places/ places of worship should be allowed to be operated with 20 persons per hour. except for the iconic religious places where it can be 50 persons per hour. However. if any religious place has only a small area. the management committee of such a religious institution shall reduce the number of attendees accordingly.
Social distancing at workplaces should be ensured through adequate gaps between shifts, staggering of lunch breaks of staff, etc.