Assam to Impose Inter-District Travel Ban to Break COVID-19 Transmission Chain, Check Date

Guwahati-

Inter-District Travel Ban in Assam: As the cases of the novel coronavirus spread rampantly across the state of Assam infecting people with every passing day, the Assam government, in an attempt to break the chain of this deadly infectious disease may impose restrictions for both inter-state and intra-state movement. 

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that even though there has not been any decision taken to impose a complete statewide lockdown, the government is planning to prohibit inter-district movement of people for 15 days with effect from Friday. 

The Chief Minister also appealed to the people to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the government in order to keep the spread of the virus at bay. On Thursday, the SOP issued by the Assam State Disaster Management (ASDM) called for the closure of all shops and commercial establishments by 11 AM daily and introduced an odd-even formula to be applied on the movement of vehicles, and also listed out groups that are exempted from the prohibitions. [Read Next: Ban on Inter-district Movement for 15 Days in Assam will Start from May 21]

Sarma justified the inter-district travel ban by asserting that if people belonging from districts with high positivity rate keep traveling frequently to the districts with lesser positivity rate, there are high chances of the infection spreading, therefore, in order to break the chain of transmission, the government has taken the decision to implement the inter-district travel ban for 15 days. 

Even though Sarma pointed out the fact that the number of cases has shown a decline, he said that the situation cannot be predicted and it is best for both the government and the people to remain vigilant. 

The Chief Minister assured the people of its efficient and well-managed healthcare infrastructure, asserting that Assam has enough Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and oxygen beds. He plans to further strengthen the healthcare system by adding another 300 ICU beds in Guwahati itself, with 200 in Gauhati Medical College and 60 in Assam Medical College. 

Himanta Biswa Sarma also took to Twitter to highlight the current progress of the vaccination drive undertaken by the government. 

Yesterday, the CM conducted a VC meeting alongside the health minister Keshab Mahanta and various DC's, ADC's and SP's to discuss the COVID-19 status, preparedness, and enforcement. All the DC's have been directed to visit District Hospitals and ensure effective care of vital Covid patients at all hours of the day and night. The CM also asked that each district designate one ADC to be in charge of the vaccine centres. To contain the pandemic while adhering to containment zone regulations, SPs were told to enforce strict controls. 

After the CM's order directing the DC's, ADC'c, and SP's to visit the medical centres to ensure its efficient management, many officials have promptly started taking action. 

Yesterday, DC and SP of Biswanath paid a joint visit to B. Chariali Covid Hospital where they assessed compliance with COVID medical advisories as well as critical issues such as the routine of doctors and nurses of their visits to COVID wards, proper diet, monitoring SpO's, and oxygen supply, among others. 

Similarly, Dr. S. Singh IAS, DC Hojai & Shri Barun Purkayastha IPS Supdt. of Police, Hojai paid their visit to the District Civil Hospital & Nilbagan Model Hospital to oversee the health status of the COVID-19 patients and check on the basic amenities. 

Meanwhile, Shri Keshab Mahanta, Assam's Health Minister, visited Kamrup and discussed anti-covid initiatives with DC Kamrup, SP Kamrup, and the Joint Director of Health Services. He consulted with the medical personnel and assessed the situation.

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