Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Image credit - Twitter

People in Guwahati on Friday afternoon were caught totally unprepared for the announcement with the 14-day lockdown.

To immediately check community transmission of COVID19 in Guwahati, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced “total lockdown” till July 12.

But, people said, the decision for lockdown was taken without taking into account some of the important issues, which may push them to a situation of crisis.

Its end of the month and most people don’t have enough money to buy dry and wet ration for the next two weeks.

Moreover, the announcement came about two hours before the closure of the banking hours on Friday.

Banks are closed on Saturday (for being a fourth Saturday), followed by a Sunday.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government is going to initiate strict actions for the “total lockdown” in Guwahati.

While COVID19 pandemic continue to frighten common people, shortage of cash is also sure to push people in a total catch 22 situation.

“We don’t know how to manage for the next two weeks, it is going to be extremely difficult to keep the kitchen running,” a young businessman in Guwahati, said.

A lot of people insisted that the government should immediately order opening of banks on Saturday and Sunday for a smooth implementation of the “total lockdown” in Guwahati.