Assam govt announces new COVID restrictions

GUWAHATI:

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), on Tuesday, issued an order, reiterating compliance to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, to be in force till April 30, to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Gatherings:

Open function to be allowed with permission from the District Authority, subject to strict adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour, including wearing a face mask, maintaining respiratory etiquette, practising hand hygiene through frequent hand washing or hand sanitisers and maintaining social distancing.

While granting such permission, District Authority will assess the public bearing capacity of the open space and allow gathering of only 50 per cent of its capacity for 400 persons, whichever is lower.

No standing audience shall be allowed in open or closed venues.

The number of guests in private functions, including marriages, to be restricted to 100 persons.

Funeral/last rites-related gatherings should ensure not more than 200 persons for each deceased.

Religious places/places of worship are allowed to be operated with 20 persons per hour, except for the iconic religious places, where it can be 50 persons per hour.

All marketplaces/supermarkets/shops in the malls/weekly markets should be closed by 6 pm.

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Workplaces (government and Private)

Working from home and virtual working should be encouraged.

Except for officers, only 50 per cent of employees can work from the office. However, this will not be applicable for organisations rendering essential/ emergency services, law enforcement services and election work.

Meetings in the official chambers to be discouraged.

Pregnant women employees and women with children of five years or below, irrespective of their grade, shall be allowed to work from home.

Social distancing at workplaces should be ensured through adequate gaps between shifts, staggering of lunch breaks of officials and staff, etc.

Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash and sanitiser be made at all entry and exit points and common areas.

Educational Institutions (Government and Private)

All educational institutions, including schools/colleges/universities, must provide quality virtual options.

Not more than 50 per cent of students should attend in person on any day.

There will be no morning assembly/special assembly in the educational institutions.

Preference to be given to the online mode of teaching for primary classes.

The education department will issue detailed guidelines/SOP for uninterrupted education services. 

Public Transport (government and Private)

All public transport authorities shall enforce COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and seating inside the vehicles, carriers, containers, etc.

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

City buses, Intra-district, Inter-district and, Inter-state buses will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent seating capacity.

Penal Provisions

Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per provisions of section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, besides legal action under Sec.188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.

Any person not wearing a face mask and or spitting in public places shall be fined Rs 1000.

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