No lockdown; SOPs for Rongali Bihu: Himanta

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Health & Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ruled out the possibility of imposing lockdown or night curfew in the State even as the country is witnessing the second wave of COVID-19 infection.

The Minister said the State Government will issue Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to celebrate the coming Rongali Bihu festival in the State.

"The second wave of COVID-19 has started across the country. In view of the rising number of positive cases in the State, we have issued new SOPs to ensure COVID safety behaviour. It is mandatory for all passengers coming from Mumbai and Karnataka to undergo COVID-19 tests. If anyone comes here with a test report from there, then also they have to get themselves tested here. Earlier, we had conducted 1 lakh tests per day, and it is our strategy to go back to that level. We will try to reach that level before the Rongali Bihu festival starts in the middle of April so that the positive cases can be traced and isolated," Sarma told reporters on Thursday.

He said the Bihu functions (they go on till the wee hours) could be restricted after 12 midnight.

The Health department on Wednesday conducted 18,000 tests. Sarma said his department is targeting to conduct 35,000 tests on Thursday.

"The number of COVID-19 positive cases will increase in the coming days with the rise in the number of daily tests. But there is no need to be panic as the State is now better equipped to tackle the situation. Majority of doctors, nurses and health workers have been vaccinated and thus they can serve people better. The issue of shortage of oxygen cylinders has been solved. We have adopted T3 (test, trace and track) strategy to deal with the new situation. As of now, although there is no need to panic, people should remain alert. They should get themselves tested if they have the symptoms," the Health Minister said.

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