The Government of Assam has issued a fresh set of standard operating procedures today allowing the state to reopen further. The active curfew has been decreased by another hour from today.
This order comes after a strict review of the current scenario of COVID-19 infections in the state. The last relief was given just before the Durga Puja celebrations. Following which the infections are still in control with new cases in the urban and semi urban regions range in around 300-400 positive cases. The first dose and both doses of vaccine has been given to about 95% and 31% of the eligible population of the state as of now.
A. Containment Zones:
If positivity of COVID-19 in any area reaches more than 10 cases in the past seven days, the Jurisdictional District Magistrate will notify such areas as total containment zones in consultation with MD, NHM and ensure necessary containment measures for COVID-19.
However emergency services will continue round the clock and essential services including shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk shops, animal food, etc. can remain open till 10 PM.
Delivery of essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce in such areas can open round the clock.
B. Restrictions imposed:
Except for exemptions given in Annexure “C”,
- Curfew Time: 11PM – 5AM
- Workplace and business/ commercial establishments: Not beyond 10 PM
- Government and Private Offices/ Establishments: As per usual working hours but not beyond 10 PM
- Opening of shops and commercial establishments: Upto 10 PM
- Shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, animal fodder: Upto 10 PM
- Dine in Restaurants, Dhabas and other eateries (Upto 50% of seating capacity): Upto 10 PM
- Takeaway of food items from restaurants, dhabas and other eateries: Upto 10 PM
- Opening of Sale counters, showrooms etc. of cold storages and warehouses: Upto 10PM
C. Other restrictions and relaxations:
- All Government servants who have taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will attend office. However, all other employees except those in whose case vaccination is contra-indicated as per guidelines issued by the Health Department of Government of Assam and for such claim is certified by a registered medical practitioner will have to get themselves vaccinated and attend office.
- Employees engaged in emergency / essential services shall attend their duty without any restrictions at any place.
- The organizations (Government / Private) rendering Essential/Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Services and Election work will continue working without any restrictions in all districts.
- Pregnant women employees and women employees with children of 3 years or below working under any Government / PSU / Financial Institutions / Private Organization irrespective of their grade can to work from home.
- Persons with disabilities (PwDs) working in any Government/PSU/ Financial Institutions/Private organizations shall be allowed to attend duties.
D. Public Transport (Government and private)
- Goods transport shall continue unhindered.
- All Public transport authorities shall enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior and
seating inside the vehicles, carriers, containers etc. - Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate for passengers with 100% seating capacity and observance of COVID-19 appropriate behavior.
- Pillion rider allowed with atleast single vaccination dose and face mask.
- Intra District allowed with 100% capacity but not standing passengers.
- Inter District allowed with 100% capacity with atleast one dose of vaccine.
- Face Mask compulsory for even single person in vehicle.
E. Educational Institutions (Government and Private):
Educational Institutions are allowed to open subject to the order from the concerned department.
F. Gatherings:
- Meeting/gathering at any open or closed spaces: Local DDMAS will fix the limit based on the COVID situation in the district for open spaces. 50% of capacity for closed spaces.
- Marriages/Religious functions: Maximum 50 single vaccinated people.
- Religious Places: Up to 60 fully vaccinated persons per hour for iconic places and 40 fully vaccinated persons per hour for other religious places.
- Funeral/last rites: Maximum 50 people.
- Hotels/resorts: Dine in till 10 PM.
- Delivery of essential goods through e Commerce: Round the clock
- Weekly Haats / bazaars: Shift wise allowed to open in shifts of maximum 6 hours each.
- Pharmacies, Hospitals, Animal Care Centers and Veterinary clinics: Round the clock
- Cinema/Theatre Hall: Allowed with 50% of seating capacity of fully vaccinated viewers and observance of COVID-19 appropriate behavior
G. Miscellaneous
- Wearing of face mask is compulsory in all public places.
- Shop owners shall ensure minimum six feet distance among customers. More than 5 people not allowed inside the shop at once. In addition, shop owners must compulsorily keep sanitizers and hand washes in their shops.
- Shopkeepers and customers shall have to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Responsibility of maintenance of social distancing will be on the shop owner and failure to do so will be viewed very seriously.
- Industrial units and Tea gardens may function subject to observance of COVID appropriate behavior. Head of the unit/tea garden shall be responsible for ensuring social distancing, mask wearing by workers and staff, sanitization of industrial premises, thermal scanning etc.
- Excise authority will continue taking strong action against illegal production and sale of country liquor in all the districts as a COVID containment measure.
- All vehicles will be allowed to ply without any odd-even restrictions.
