File image of Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal
File image of Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday reviewed the preparedness of Sonitpur district to prevent the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

He directed the deputy commissioner to ensure the supply of essential commodities so that people do not have to face difficulty during the lockdown period.

He urged the District Chamber of Commerce to keep strict control over the prices of essential items and prevent price rise.

He also directed for setting up a dedicated 24/7 monitoring cell in the DC’s office where people can report about suspected cases and seek help for prevention of the disease outbreak.

He asked the deputy commissioner to appoint dedicated employees in the cell.

For awareness generation in the tea garden areas in the district, Sonowal asked the health department officials to carry out regular announcements in the tea gardens.

He stressed on the need to monitor the youths coming home from outside the state and making them aware of self-quarantine protocols.

“The importance of handwashing, hygiene, social distancing etc must be taught in the tea garden areas and the need to stay within homes during 21 days national lockdown period must be properly communicated,” he said.

He also directed the Health Department to conduct health check-ups of tea garden youths coming from outside the state with the Mobile Medical Unit vehicles.

Uninterrupted drinking water supply, maintaining transport communication for essential commodities, conducting sanitization of public places were some other key directives of Sonowal.