Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi on Monday said though the graph of coronavirus infection has shown the signs of flattening with no fresh cases of infection have been reported from any part of the State, the government should maintain its stringent guard to control and contain COVID-19 cases.
Taking stock of the COVID-19 situation in the State at a meeting held at Raj Bhavan with the chief secretary, director general of police and other senior officers of different line departments, Governor Prof Mukhi said the timely intervention of the government and its uncompromising adherence to the lockdown protocols have helped to flatten the curve of infection.
He, at the same hailed every frontline personnel as well as others especially the health and police department officials and attributed their dedication to break the chain of transmission in the State.
Prof Mukhi expressed satisfaction that for the last 72 hours no new cases of infection have come up.
He hailed all the agencies including North East Frontier Railways for their selfless role carried out during the lockdown period in facilitating relief and respite to the people riddled by coronavirus.
He also urged them to continue their services in the days to come till rate of progression of active cases have been halted in the state.
The Governor also observed that since the COVID-19 pandemic has had its impact on the public health as well as the economic health, government has streamlined its strategy to infuse life in the ailing health of human being and economy.
He also made it unequivocally clear in the meeting that since ‘lockdown’ for the purpose of keeping people inside their homes is the only way to keep the virus at bay.
He also said the economy cannot be closed altogether for an indefinite period and therefore, the government has accorded relaxations in agriculture and allied industry, rural industry, tea gardens, rice and oil mills etc to ensure subsistence of the people.
During and aftermath of COVID-19, the entire humanity has entered into a new phase and therefore, emphasis should be laid on social distancing, so that the virus can be contained and its mutation is stopped, the Governor advocated.
Prof Mukhi also emphasized on the need of using AYUSH as a way of life along with allopathic treatment so that people can adopt an all-inclusive approach for the management of their health.
Moreover, he also asked the functionaries of NSS, NCC, Indian Red Cross Society, Scouts and Guides, social and religious groups to generate awareness among the public in general on the importance of social distancing at least till any vaccination is developed against the virus.
The Governor also stressed on to popularize the use of masks in public places and awakening the people on spitting and urinating in public places.
He also asked the health officials to take the help of voluntary organisations to help people to imbibe the habits of hand washing, sanitizing and all other safety guidelines and advisories.
The Governor also asked the chief secretary, principal secretary (Health) and other senior officers to work whole-heartedly so that the State can contain the ‘red zones’ and affect smooth transition into green zones without any fatality.
Chief secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna gave a detailed report of the activities of different departments and apprised that the tea gardens have started working amid social distancing norms.
He also informed that 274 rural industry will start functioning from April 20 maintaining all safety guidelines.
Chairperson of IRCS T Y Das apprised the Governor of different activities that the Red Cross society is doing in the state.
Principal Secretary H&FW Samir Sinha, apprised the Governor of the activities being under taken by the Health and Family Welfare Department along with liberalising its rapid testing protocols.
Director General of Police, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta gave a detailed presentation of the activities carried out the Assam Police and the position of lockdown compliance.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also called on Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi at Raj Bhavan on Monday and briefed him about the status of COVID-19 in the State.
The chief minister along with the health minister during the meeting informed the Governor about various measures that the State government has taken to prevent coronavirus outbreak and other welfare projects for all sections of the people of the state.