Assam issues new guidelines to contain Covid-19 outbreak

Guwahati: Assam government on Tuesday issued a new set of guidelines to contain the second wave of Covid-19, where all shopping malls, grocery and other shops are asked to close by 6 pm till further notice. Under the new standard operating procedures, which were announced by State chief secretary Jishnu Baruah and police chief BJ Mahanta, any function with public gatherings should get prior permissions from the district authorities.

The guidelines, which will remain in force till 30 April, also added that all educational institutions have to operate with 50% attendance in all districts where over one hundred Covid-19 cases surface. The government has also directed to cancel the ongoing Rongali Bihu functions every evening precisely in Kamrup (metro) and Dibrugarh districts as the spike of novel coronavirus infection have been reported from the ground.

Moreover, gatherings up to 50% of the seating capacity may be allowed, where the standing individuals would not be permitted in both open and closed venues. The number of guests in private functions would be restricted to 100 persons, whereas gatherings should be limited to only 20 persons in a funeral or last rites-related program.

In both government and private workplaces, only 50% of employees are allowed to work together. The practice of working from home would be encouraged. Pregnant women employees and ladies with minor children irrespective of their grade would be allowed to work from home. Social distancing, adequate gaps between shifts, staggering of lunch breaks, thermal scanning, hand wash, sanitization must be practised in the workplaces.

Public transport authorities would enforce necessary corona-appropriate behaviour and seating inside the vehicles, carriers, containers etc, where not more than 50% of passengers are allowed. The sitting passengers (standing traveller is not allowed) will have to wear masks and follow other appropriate measures. Barbershops, salons, parlours, etc would continue providing services with strict compliance of corona-appropriate behaviours.