The Assam government on Sunday issued fresh guidelines in view of the lockdown extended up to May 17 as measures to contain the spread of COVID19 epidemic.

While addressing a press conference on Sunday Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said curfew under section 144 CrPC will be imposed in all parts of Assam from 6 pm to 6 am from Monday (May 4, 2020).

In an order, the Union home ministry (MHA) has extended the nationwide lcokdown for two more weeks with effect from May 4, 2020.

In an order issued on Sunday, the Assam government said the new guidelines will be applicable based on the risk profiling of the districts into Red (Hotspot, Green and Orange zones which will come into effect from May 4, 2020 as per the Union ministry orders.

Based on the assessment of the situation and with the primary objective of keeping the spread of COVID19 in check, the following select activities with restrictions are allowed in the Green Zone.

In Red and Orange zones, the restrictions which had been imposed prior to May 2020 shall continue till May 17, 2020, the order said.

The order said, 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.

The permitted activities with restrictions in Green Zones:

The movement of individuals is strictly prohibited between 6 PM and 6 AM throughout the state across all zones, except for emergency services namely medical services, police, fire services and emergency response for restoring telecom and electricity.

Private medical clinics and OPDs including veterinary OPDs shall be allowed to open.

All standalone shops shall be allowed to operate from 6 AM till 5 PM.

In areas where there are adjacent shops it shall be ensured that there are at least two closed shops in between two open shops except for pharmacies, grocery stores and book shops.

The deputy commissioners shall in consultation with market associations, identity the shops and allow them to operate only after this is finalised.

Market complexes and shopping malls shall remain closed.

Auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate with one driver and two passengers maintaining social distancing.

Private four-wheelers are allowed with driver and two others.

For two-wheelers, pillion riding is allowed either with one female or one child up to the age of 12 years.

All constructions in urban areas shall be allowed with a maximum of 50% work force.

City buses, intra-district and inter-district buses shall operate with 50% capacity. Only 50% of total number of buses shall be allowed to operate and only under the authority of ASTC.

All vehicles which are allowed to ply are not permitted to stop in the Red and Orange Zones but can only pass through.

Government and private offices shall operate with 50% of employees.

All tea shops, restaurants, ice-cream parlours, cooked food outlets are allowed to operate on take away or home delivery basis only.

Barber shops, saloons and parlours shall continue to remain closed, however, home visits of barber would be allowed after following hygiene and sanitisation norms.

No livestock carrying trucks shall be allowed to enter the state.

However, if there is any truck already loaded with livestock and headed for any state outside Assam, those may be allowed to move to their destinations without stopping in the state of Assam.

E-commerce for all commodities is allowed.

Maintaining social distancing and arrangement for thermal scanning, hand sanitization shall be the responsibility the head of the organization, both public and private.

Female employees, both private and public, with children below 5 years of age are not to attend office till May 17, 2020 when this will be reviewed.

Haats and bazars including weekly markets shall remain dosed throughout the state.

Movement of persons beyond the age of 65 years and below the age of 10 years shall be restricted in public spaces except for medical purposes.

The following activities will continue to remain prohibited across Assam, irrespective of Zone, for a period of two weeks with effect from May 4, 2020:

All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for medical services, air ambulance and for security purposes as permitted by MHA, will remain prohibited.

All passenger movement by trains, except for security purposes for purposes permitted by MHA.

Inter-state buses for public transport, except as permitted by MHA.

Inter-state movement of individuals except for medical reasons or for activities as permitted by MHA.

All schools, colleges, educational/training and coaching institutions will remain closed.

However, online/distance learning shall be permitted.

Hospitality services other than those used for housing health/ police/ government officials/healthcare workers, stranded persons including tourists and those used for quarantine facilities.

“All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sport complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly of halts and similar places will remain closed during the extended lockdown period,” said minister Sarma.

Meanwhile, kamrup Metro deputy commissioner Biswajit Pegu has requested all businessmen and shopkeepers (except of essential commodities and pharmacies) not to open thei business establishments on Monday till 12 noon.

The DC will have an important meeting with various organisations after which he make announcement regarding opening of the shops in the district.

The deputy commissioner has asked the shop owners to co-operate with the district administration.