Covid SOP: Virtual Curfew for non-vaccinated in Assam

Change in night curfew timings, ramping up testing, suspending junior classes, and above all taking a decisive move to ensure the entire populace gets vaccinated. The Assam Government today made

Change in night curfew timings, ramping up testing, suspending junior classes, and above all taking a decisive move to ensure the entire populace gets vaccinated. The Assam Government today made some key announcements to tackle the third wave which is likely to hit the state as early as the 20th of January.

Highly concerned over the spike in COVID cases and the rising Omicron threat, the Assam government has decided to impose severe restrictions on the movement of non-vaccinated people as well as those who have got jabbed by a single dose.

In what can be termed as a virtual curfew for the lot, non-vaccinated and those vaccinated with just one dose will not be able to attend office, enter malls, eateries, cinema halls or even get access to public transport.

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Addressing the media while announcing the new SOPs, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that anyone granting access to non-vaccinated people to enter a mall, theatre, restaurant, office etc. will be fined up to Rs 25,000. This decisive move of the state government will come into effect from January 15. The restriction, however, will not apply to those below 19 years of age who have just received their first dose.

Significantly, Chief Minister Sarma also warned that the third wave may hit the state as early as January 20 and cases may cross the 10 thousand mark per day.

The Assam Chief Minister also said that all Covod cases from here on will be treated as a potential Omicron case as it is not practically possible to conduct genome sequencing of every sample.

Also Read: Assam cabinet minister Pijush Hazarika tests positive for Covid-19

Besides, the Assam government today decided to increase the duration of the night curfew. As per the new SOPs released today, the night curfew shall come into effect from 10 PM instead of 11:30 PM. The curfew will remain in place till 6 AM.

And in another significant announcement, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that free treatment will be available only for the BPL category and those in exceptional cases where people need urgent treatment.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarma informed that hospitalisation period for Covid patients will be 5 days and those in home isolation will be considered negative in 7 days. It may be mentioned that, unlike the first two waves, the Government this time is encouraging home isolation for all those who have an attendant.

CM Sarma also said that testing will be ramped up further to fight the third wave which may reach its peak post-January 20.

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