Weekend lockdown & night curfew lifted; Assam CS issued fresh unlock guidelines

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government on Friday ordered lifting of the weekend lockdown and night curfew as part of its move to unlock the State to revive the economy even as the number of COVID-19 positive cases and causalities were not showing a declining trend.

Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna in his capacity as head of Assam State Disaster Management Authority issued the fresh unlock guidelines which will come into effect immediately and remain in force till September 30 midnight.

"Even though weekend lockdown and night curfew have been lifted, I appeal to everyone adhere to all the COVID-19 protocols to keep themselves and others safe from the virus infection," Krishna said. The weekend lockdown was in force on Saturday and Sunday every week. The night curfew was imposed from 9.30 pm to 6 am every day.

As per the new unlock guidelines while most activities have been allowed outside containment zones, schools, colleges, education and coaching institutes will remain closed for regular classes till September 30.

Fifty per cent of teaching and non-teaching staff are allowed to attend educational institutions for online teaching, tele-counselling and related work. Students of classes 9 to 12 are allowed to visit schools on voluntary basis with written consent from parents for guidance from teachers.

Higher educational institutions are allowed to operate only for research and unavoidable laboratory and experimental work only on issue of necessary guidelines by the department of higher education.

Public transport will be allowed to operate from September 7 with strict compliance of social distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures.

Students of classes IX to XII are allowed to visit their schools on voluntary basis and with written consent of parents for guidance from teachers only.

Skill and entrepreneurship training will be permitted with strict compliance of COVID 19 protocols and in line with guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India;

Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions will be allowed with gathering of maximum of 100 persons at a time with effect from September 21 with mandatory wearing of face cover and maintenance of all other COVID protocols already issued;

However, marriage related gatherings shall be restricted to 50 persons and last rite related gatherings shall be restricted to 20 persons. Such restrictions will continue to remain in force till September 20 after which 100 persons shall be allowed to gather in the same events.

Cinema Halls, swimming pools entertainment parks, theatres and similar places will remain closed.

Lockdown will remain in force in all Containment Zones till September 30.

There will be no restrictions on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate pass/ permits etc. shall be required for the same.

Advisories:

1. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 are advised to stay at home except for medical emergencies;

2. Citizens are advised to download the AarogyaSetu application in compatible mobile phones and post regular update of their health status on the same.

Penal Provisions: -

(a) Any person violating any of the guidelines as enumerated above is liable to be prosecuted under relevant sections of Disaster Management Act and also under section 188 of IPC;

(b) Any person not wearing face cover and? or spitting in public places shall be fined Rs 1,000/- on the spot besides being prosecuted under relevant provisions of Law.

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