Revised COVID-19 SOP in Assam To Be Announced, Curfew Timing Likely to be Changed

GUWAHATI: It is expected that the Assam government will soon issue the new SOP (Standard operating procedure) as it was earlier informed that SOPs will be shared on Thursday 6 January in view of the Omicron scare along with the spread in COVID-19 positive cases in the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and State Health Minister Keshav Mahanta have decided to meet today evening at 07:00 pm and through the meeting, they will create the list for SOPs for the prevention of disease and to protect the state from getting infected with the deadly virus.

There are numerous speculations arising in the minds of people about the new restrictions that will be imposed through the new SOP. The Health Minister informed that the state is prepared to deal with the third covid wave and also prepared for new covid variant Omicron.

The Chief Minister has already made it clear that there will be no lockdown imposed in the state this time and the health minister has earlier assured about the availability of beds that will be reserved for COVID patients.

The residents of Assam are much curious about the new SOP and waiting for it to get officially announced by the Chief Minister today. Many media reports claim that with the new SOP release the curfew timing might change along with other rules and required restrictions in various sectors including travel and education.

However, the Assam government has already issued new SOPs for the travellers going out and returning to the state from foreign countries.

Planning for Travel:

a. According to the fresh SOP the international travellers of Assam travelling outside and inside the state must maintain certain rules given that are given below:

• The travelers must submit a self-declaration form on the Air Subidha portal along with details about the last 14 days of travel.

• They must upload a COVID-19 negative RT-PCR report which is done 72 hours before undertaking the journey.

• Each passenger will be submitting a declaration with respect to the accuracy of the report.

b. The travellers must an undertaking on the portal or otherwise to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, through concerned airlines before they are allowed to undertake the journey that they would abide by the decision of the appropriate, government authority to undergo home/ institutional quarantine/ self-health, monitoring, as warranted.

c. Travellers from foreign countries with the epidemiological conditions of COVID-19 will be identified for additional follow-up.

Before Boarding:

a. Passengers originating or transiting from at-risk countries shall be informed by the airlines that they will undergo post-arrival testing, quarantine if tested negative, stringent isolation protocols if tested positive, etc. as mentioned in para (xv).

b. Do's and Don'ts shall be provided along with tickets to the travellers by the airlines/ agencies concerned.

c. Airlines to allow boarding by only those passengers who have filled in the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha Portal, uploaded the negative RT_PCR test report.

d. At the time of boarding the flight, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after the thermal screening.

e. All passengers shall be advised to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices

Also read: Assam COVID Situation Deteriorating, Govt to take Final Call Today

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