Assam Government has urged the Centre to recognise policemen, journalists and teachers as COVID-19 frontline workers.

The Assam Government has made an official request to the Centre in this regard.

This was informed by Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah in Guwahati on Tuesday.

“Assam Government has requested the Centre to include all in the police department, journalists and teachers in the COVID-19 frontline workers category,” said Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah.

Also read: COVID-19: Assam government issues fresh guidelines; markets to be closed by 6 PM

Jishnu Baruah made this announcement while briefing the media at the Assam Secretariat (Janata Bhawan) on the fresh guidelines issued by the State Government to check the fast spread of COVID-19 in the State.

In view of the surge in COVID19 positive cases, the Assam government on Tuesday issued fresh guidelines which will remain effective till April 30, 2021.

In an order issued on Tuesday (April 20, 2021), Assam chief secretary Jishnu Baruah said “in exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 22(2)(h) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005” he issued fresh directives which shall come in force “with immediate effect and remain in force till April 30,2021”.

The chief secretary said the situation will be reviewed and measures will be taken later accordingly.

Also read: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tests COVID-19 positive

The directives have been issued after a review of the situation of COVID19 in Assam. After review of the situation, “it has been observed that there is a gradual increase in COVID-19 positive cases”.

It is felt that in order to contain the fast spread of virus, additional prohibition/restrictions on certain activities need to be imposed, except essential and emergency activities/services, as an emergency measure for well-being and safety of the people, the chief secretary said.