Assam Govt announces more lockdown relaxations; check details here

Guwahati: Assam finance and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today announced that in the next phase of the lockdown, inter-district travel will be allowed on Mondays and Tuesdays, at least until August 15.

"Stores can be opened on one side, however, if gyms, yoga centers, saloons, etc, fall on one side, they can also be opened", Sarma said, adding that malls can also be opened on alternate days in accordance with the 'shops-can-only-open-on-one-side-of-the-road' rule.

Sarma additionally announced that office attendance will once again be boosted to 100%. Sarma further announced the night curfew will be observed from 6 am to 6 pm. However, Sarma informed, the weekly markets and the haats shall be kept closed in view of the coronavirus transmission.

"We are unlocking in phases; yesterday alone, we conducted 42,000 tests. On August 4, we will target 50,000 tests", Sarma further announced. Lockdowns were brought into effect across Assam after the rampant spread of the coronavirus contagion that continues to rise at a brisk and alarming rate.

Sarma has earlier opined that the lockdown restrictions will continue in Assam till August 15, despite the Centre's appeal to unlock the nation in phases. He said that the state Government will alternate between lock-unlock until the threat of the virus is thwarted for good.

The Central Government has also lifted the nationwide curfews as the economic activities are being brought back on track. However, the curfews are still being imposed across Assam as a measure to contain the outbreak of the virus.

Meanwhile, the tally in Assam has risen to 40,269 after the detection of 1,862 more coronavirus cases on Friday, July 31. Of these, Kamrup (M) reported the highest number of cases with 281 infections. On the same day, 1,277 people were discharged from hospitals across the state after recovering from the contagious disease.

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