Assam government imposed a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am, makes relaxation in the green zone during the third phase of lockdown:

Guwahati, May 3: Assam government has imposed a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am during the third phase of COVID-19 lockdown on the entire state from Monday.

Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the state government has decided to impose a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am every day on entire state during the third phase of nationwide lockdown and also given some relaxation in the green zone as per directive by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Assam Health minister said that, out of 33 districts of the state, 29 districts have been notified as green zone and four districts are in the orange zone.

“The movement of individuals is strictly prohibited between 6 pm and 6 am throughout the state across all zones, except for emergency services namely medical services, police, fire services and emergency response for restoring telecom and electricity. Private Medical Clinics and OPDs including veterinary OPDs shall be allowed to open. All standalone shops shall be allowed to operate till 5 pm. In areas where there are adjacent shops it shall be ensured that there are at least two closed shops in between two open shops except for pharmacies, grocery stores, and book shops. Deputy Commissioners shall, in consultation with market associations, identify the shops and allow them to operate only after this is finalized. Market complexes and shopping malls shall remain closed,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

He further said that – “Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate with one driver and two passengers maintaining social distancing. Private four-wheelers are allowed with driver and two others. For two-wheelers, pillion riding is allowed either with One female or one child up to the age of 12 years. All constructions in urban areas Shall be allowed with a maximum of 50% workforce. City buses, intra-district, and inter-district buses shall operate with 50% capacity. Only 50% of the total number of buses shall be allowed to operate and only under the authority of ASTC. All vehicles which are allowed to ply are not permitted to stop in the Red and Orange Zones but can only pass through. Government and Private offices shall operate with employees.”

“All tea shops, restaurants, ice-cream parlors, cooked food outlets are allowed to operate on take away or home delivery basis only. Barbershops, saloons, and parlors shall continue to remain closed, however, home visits of barber would be allowed after following hygiene and sanitization norms. No livestock carrying trucks shall be allowed to enter the State. However, if there is any truck already loaded with livestock and headed for any State outside Assam those may be allowed to move to their destination without stopping in the State Of Assam. E-Commerce for all Commodities is allowed,” the Assam Health minister said.

The state government has allowed for operating private offices with 50 percent workforce.

“Maintaining social distancing and arrangement for thermal scanning, hand sanitization shall be the responsibility of the Head of the Organization both public and private. Female employees, both private and public, with children below 5 years of age are not to attend office till 17th May, 2020 when this will be reviewed. Haats and bazars including weekly markets shall remain closed throughout the state. Movement of persons beyond the age of 65 years and below the age of 10 years shall be restricted in public spaces except for medical purposes,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

He further said that, the inter-district and intra-district bus services under the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) have been allowed to operate.

The Assam Health minister also said that, all cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly of halls, and similar places are to remain prohibited across the state.