Govt relaxes curfew timing; allows inter-district movement as Assam sees drop in number of Covid cases

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Tuesday issued a revised Covid SOP for both rural and urban areas of Assam that will come into force from 5 am of August 18 and will remain in place until further orders. Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta announced certain relaxations after the state registered a sharp drop in the number of Covid cases.

As per the new directives, there are certain relaxations on economic activities and curfew timings. The revised directives are as follows:

*Curfew timing has been relaxed by one hour, the new curfew timings are from 7 am to 5 am daily.

*Accordingly, all commercial establishments including malls, stand-alone shops, restaurants, shops dealing in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), sale counters, storage units, warehouses, and other such establishments will now be allowed to open till 7 pm.

*Inter-district movement of private vehicles and movement of people shall be allowed except to and from Kamrup (Metro) District. However, inter-district public transport shall remain suspended.

*Fully vaccinated students in the final year of graduate / post-graduate courses in engineering/medical/GNM/Nursing/Aeronautical Engineering colleges may be allowed to attend physical classes.

*Meeting/gathering at any open or closed spaces is allowed for up to 200 persons in open spaces (for public function), and up to 50% of the hall capacity or 200 fully vaccinated persons whichever is lower in closed venues.

*Audience capacity for the conduct of functions related to National/International days in halls/auditoriums has been kept at 50% of the hall capacity.

*Public gathering of upto 25 persons allowed for marriage/funeral programmes.

*Religious places have been allowed to open with up to 20 fully vaccinated persons per hour for iconic places, and 10 fully persons per hour for other religious places.

*Cinema/Theatre hall will continue to remain closed.

*Wearing of face mask is compulsory at all public places.

*Excise authority will take strong action against illegal production and sale of country liquor in all the districts of Assam.

*Other restrictions including, declaration of containment zones, etc. and exemptions as notified in the August 2021 order shall continue to remain in force except those specifically modified by this order.

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