Keeping in view the improved Covid19 situation in the state, the Assam government on Tuesday issued a new set of guidelines easing Covid19-related restrictions.
According to the new guidelines, the night curfew in Assam will now remain effective from 11 pm to 5 am.
The Assam government in an order said the “situation of COVID19 in the state has been reviewed” and it has been observed that the “overall COVID scenario in the state has further improved”.
The daily new cases of COVID are hovering between 300 and 400, mostly reported from the urban and peri-urban areas and most of the districts are reporting less than 10 cases per day for the last 4-5 weeks, the order said.
The order said the COVID vaccination status has improved significantly with 95% of the total eligible population in the state have received the first dose of the COVID19 vaccine, many districts nearing saturation and second dose vaccination has also gone up to 31% of the total eligible population in the state.
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The new guidelines for COVID19 will remain in force with immediate effect, the order said.
According to the order, in case the test positivity of COVID19 in any area reaches more than 10 cases in the last seven days, the jurisdictional District Magistrate will notify such areas as total containment zones in consultation with MD, NHM and ensure necessary containment measures for COVID19.
However, in such zones, emergency services will continue round the clock and essential services including shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, animal fodder, etc. will remain open up to usual time of closure but not beyond 10 PM.
Other restrictions and relaxations:
All the govemment servants (including contractual and fixed pay) who have taken at least one dose of COVID19 vaccine shall attend office.
However, all other employees except those in whose case vaccination is contra-indicated as per guidelines issued by the health department of government of Assam and /or such claim is certified by a registered medical practitioner will have to get themselves vaccinated and attend office.
Employees engaged in emergency/essential services shall attend their duty without any restrictions at any place.
The organisations (government/private) rendering essential/emergency services, law enforcement services and election work will continue working without any restrictions in all districts.
Pregnant women employees and women employees with children of 3 years or below working under any government/PSU/financial institutions/private organisations irrespective of their grade shall be eligible to work from home.
Persons with disabilities working in any government/PSU/financial instutions/private organisations shall be allowed to attend duties.
Goods transport shall continue unhindered.
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All ;ublic transport authorities shall enforce COVID19 appropriate behaviour and seating inside the vehicles, carriers and containers.
Auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate for passengers with 100% seating capacity and observance of COVID19 appropriate behaviour for passengers having at least a single dose of vaccine.
Pillion riding on motorcycles may be allowed with at least single vaccinated persons and compulsory wearing of mask.
Intra-district transport with 100% seating capacity, subject to observance of COVID19 appropriate bihaviour, shall be allowed for passengers having at least single dose of vaccine.
No standing passenger shall be allowed.
Heavy fines will be imposed on such passengers and the driving license of the driver/ registration of the vehicle will also be cancelled in the event of carrying standing passengers.
All inter-district passenger transport and movement shall be allowed with 100% of passengers having at least a single dose of vaccine subject to observance of Covid19 appropriate behaviour.
Wearing of face mask is mandatory even for a single person driving a vehicle.
In case of persons travelling In any private car, up to 100% of its seating capacity, wearing of face mask is mandatory for all the persons.
The guidelines issued by the education department vide order No. ASE.01/2020/Pt-11/169, dated September 28, 2021 for elementary, upper primary, secondary schools and degree colleges/engineering colleges/ polytechnics/teacher training colleges/universities will be applicable for both government, non-government and private educational institutions.