Assam extends Covid-19 restrictions till June 22, some curbs eased

The Assam government on Tuesday extended the ongoing Covid-19 restriction till June 22, easing certain curbs in some districts.

The order issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) and signed by Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua listed a new set of guidelines, which will be in force from 5 am on June 16 till 5 am on June 22.

"The situation of Covid-19 in the State has been reviewed and observed that, though the number of Covid-19 patients and positivity rate is declining in some districts, the overall situation is still precarious," it said.

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The ASDMA said adequate measures for both urban and rural areas are still necessary for the containment of Covid-19 across the state.

The order divided the state into three categories depending upon the improvement in the pandemic situation.

Accordingly, the curfew duration in Kamrup Metropolitan, which primarily comprises the Guwahati city, has been relaxed by one hour. It would start at 2 pm and continue till 5 am the next day.

South Salmara, Majuli, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Udalguri, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and Charaideo districts, where the positive cases are less than 400 cumulatively in the last 10 days, the lockdown-like restrictions have been relaxed and movement of individuals will be allowed from 5 am to 5 pm.

"Districts where the total number of cumulative cases and per day cases are still showing persistently high numbers, especially Cachar, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur and Nagaon, will be under close watch till 21st June, 2021. In case there is no improvement in the Covid status in these districts, stricter restrictions may follow," the ASDMA said.

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All the other districts will continue to be under the existing set of restrictions, such as curfew from 1 pm to 5 am and all shops as well as commercial establishments closing down at 12 pm.

Regarding the functioning of government and private offices, shops, restaurants and other commercial establishments, the ASDMA said all such places have to close down one hour prior to starting of the curfew, which has different timing in different districts.

"All Government and Private Employees who have taken both doses of Covid-19 vaccine have to attend office mandatorily," it added.

It further said that all educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities, shall continue to provide quality virtual options with a total ban on any physical classes.

"All inter-district transport services and movement of people to and from other districts shall remain suspended till 5 AM of 22nd June, 2021," the order stated.