Readers in Guwahati city might not get daily newspaper in the morning at their doorsteps from Tuesday as the All Guwahati Newspaper Hawkers’ Association has decided not to distribute papers due to coronavirus outbreak.
The newspaper distributors’ body has decided to suspend circulation of newspapers from March 24 (Tuesday) to March 31.
“In the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus, we have decided not to circulate newspapers from March 24 considering the safety of the subscribers,” All Guwahati Newspaper Hawkers’ Association secretary Brajen Barman said in a letter to the proprietors of the newspapers.
Although o positive case has bee detected in Assam so far, the state government, which had earlier closed its borders to foreigners and even restricted Indian citizens from other parts of the country, had listed five steps to outline its fight against the virus.
These steps include a staggered roster for government employees (50 per cent will work from home), strict social distancing measures and stamping of all passengers arriving through any transport.
Amid media reports regarding declaring lockdown in Assam, the chief minister’s office (CMO) in a statement on Monday clarified that the government has so far not announced lockdown in the state.