Assam government on Monday issued new guidelines on Unlock 1.0 in continuation and modification of its order issued on May 18, 2020, and all other earlier orders allowing various activities.
However, the activities have been allowed with strict compliance of social distancing, hygiene and all other protocols as directed earlier by the Union Health Ministry for containment of COVID19 epidemic in the country.
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The Union Home Ministry issued new guidelines on May 30 announcing phase-wise opening of all activities and termed it Unlock 1.
“In exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 22(2)(h) of the Disaster Management Act. 2005”, Assam chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna has issued directives to all the district administrations of Assam, government departments and autonomous councils for further relaxation with immediate effect.
Through an order, the state government has allowed the following activities:
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Religious places/places of worship for public have been allowed from June 8, 2020 subject to a gathering of a maximum of 20 persons per hour.
However, if any religious place has only a small area, the management committee of such religious institutions shall downsize the number of attendees accordingly.
All religious institutions shall issue disposable paper tokens to regulate the number of visitors per hour and ensure safe disposal of tokens before entering the religious places, said the order.
Hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality services have been allowed from June 8, 2020 maintaining social distancing with 50% of total capacity at a time.
Shopping malls have been allowed to open from June 8, 2020 maintaining social distancing.
Open spaces and public parks for yoga, morning walk and jogging without sitting arrangements have been allowed from June 1, 2020.
Persons entrusted with the responsibility of maintenance of such areas shall be responsible for maintaining social distancing and hygiene norms, the order said.
Film and video shooting for both government and private in open spaces and studios by maintaining social distancing has been allowed from June 1, 2020.
Barbershops and parlours have been allowed to operate for hair trimming purposes only from June 1, 2020 maintaining social distancing and strict use of masks and gloves with very frequent sanitization.
“These guidelines shall be enforced by the district magistrates through fines and penal action as prescribed in Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions,” said the order.
Regarding night curfew, the order said: “The movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 9:00 pm to 5:00 am throughout the state, except for essential activities.”
“Local authorities shall issue orders in the entire area of their jurisdiction under appropriate provisions of law, such as under Section 144 of CrPC, and ensure strict compliance,” the chief secretary said in the order.
Protection of vulnerable persons:
“Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes,” the order said.
Pillion riding: “Pillion riding in two wheelers is not allowed except for ladies and children below twelve years of age Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) will issue Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) very soon for the above activities,” it said.
Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places shall remain closed.
Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations will not be allowed.
“Schools, colleges, universities, coaching centres and other similar places of gathering shall remain closed until further orders,” the chief secretary said in the order.
“No activity whatsoever shall be permitted in the Containment Zones,” the order said.
All other restrictions as given in order no. ASDMA 24/20201/ Part-I/57 issued on May 18, 2020 shall continue to remain in force, the chief secretary further said in the order.