COVID-19: Total lockdown to be imposed in 7 Assam districts from tomorrow, new SOP issued

Assam government on Tuesday announced total lockdown in 7 districts across the state amid rise in COVID-19 cases. The districts declared as complete containment zones include – Goalpara, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur,

Assam government on Tuesday announced total lockdown in 7 districts across the state amid rise in COVID-19 cases. The districts declared as complete containment zones include – Goalpara, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Biswanath and Morigaon.

According to the fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, the order will come into effect from Wednesday, July 7 effect and will remain in force till further notice.

In Guwahati, the movement of general public has been allowed till 5 PM in the evening.

However, other districts in Assam showing a moderate positivity rate, including Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Nalbari, Baksa, Bajali, Kamrup, Darrang, Nagaon, Hojai, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Cachar, Karimganj and Karbi Anglong, the curfew timings will be 2 PM to 5 AM.

Further, Sivasagar and Dibrugarh districts will be kept under close watch for one week.

Meanwhile, curfew will remain effective from 5 PM to 5 AM in the districts showing improvement in positivity caseload – Dhubri, Kamrup (M), South Salmara, Majuli, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Udalguri, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Charaideo and Hailakandi.

As per the new SOP, all work places, business and commercial establishments, shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, animal fodder, restaurants, dhabas and other eateries, sale counters, showrooms etc. of cold storages and warehouses will be closed until further notice in districts showing high positivity rate.

The establishments will remain open up to 1 PM in districts showing moderate positivity rate and up to 4 PM in districts showing improvement in positivity rate.

There will be a total ban on movement of all public and private transport in the total containment districts. However, movements of goods shall continue.

All inter-district passenger transport services and movement of people to and from other districts shall remain suspended, the SOP said.

Public gathering is banned in total containment districts. In other districts, up to 10 persons are allowed for marriage or funeral programmes. Wearing of face mask is compulsory in all public places.

Other restrictions including odd-even formula for plying of vehicles, declaration of containment zones etc. and exemptions as notified on June 26, 2021, shall continue to remain in force except those specifically modified by this order.

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