STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Government on Saturday announced partial relaxations in the ongoing lockdown in Kamrup (Metropolitan) district even as the number of COVID-19 positive cases continues to increase in the State's capital city.
Alarming rise in COVID positive cases had forced the State Government to impose total lockdown in Guwahati for two weeks from June 29 to July 12.
In an order issued on Saturday, State Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said the government has allowed certain activities from July 5-12 in Kamrup Metropolitan district. Grocery shops are allowed to operate between 11 am and 4 pm on Monday and Wednesday (July 6 & 8), the order said.
The order, however, said the Deputy Commissioner will issue the requisite directives to ensure that only 20% of all shops are allowed to open on any given day.
"Shopkeepers and customers shall have to wear masks, hand gloves and maintain social distancing. Responsibility of maintenance of social distancing will be on the shop owner and failure to do so will be viewed very seriously and may entail summery closure of defaulting shops," the order said.
Maintenance of price line and prevention of artificial shortage will be the responsibility of shop keepers and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department, the Chief Secretary said in the order.
Whole sellers of grocery items are allowed to replenish stocks of retailers on Sunday (July 5) and Tuesday (July 7) between 3 pm and 6 pm. "No retail sale is allowed in this period," the order said.
Activities relating to essential items supply from and to FCI establishments shall be allowed to operate.
The State Government has allowed house-to-house sale of fruits and vegetables between 8 am and 2 pm on Monday and Wednesday (July 6 & 8). The government has not allowed roadside vending of any fruit, vegetable and fish.
Activities relating to wholesale distribution of medicines and medical equipment shall be allowed between 10 am and 3 pm only on Monday and Wednesday (July 6 & 8), the order said.
Veterinary clinics, veterinary medicine shops are allowed to operate on all days between 10 am and 4 pm. Feed shops are allowed to operate on Monday (July 6) and Wednesday (July 8).
E-commerce distribution activities are allowed between 11 am and 4 pm on Friday (July 10).
Post offices and Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) offices are allowed to operate with only 10% of total employee strength and only 10 % of total branches.
Also Watch: Flood Affects 100 Families in Samguri