Assam to get a new SOP tomorrow at 11 am; Stricter measures expected but no lockdown

The newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma held the government’s first cabinet ministry meeting today at the Janata Bhavan, Guwahati to assess the current Covid-19 situation in Assam. Present there among others was Health Minister Keshab Mahanta along with top officers, who said that strict enforcement of Covid protocols will be implemented to slow down the Covid infection rate in the state. But no decision of lockdown has been made by the cabinet in the meeting.

Addressing the media at Janata Bhawan, Guwahati on Tuesday, State Health Minister, Keshab Mahanta said, “The COVID 19 situation in the State was discussed in detail in the meeting today. The new guidelines and other regulations for controlling the situation will be announced by the Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police tomorrow at 11 AM.”

“The Chief Minister of Assam will appoint each of the cabinet ministers to oversee the COVID situation in two or more districts in the state. They will have to coordinate with the deputy commissioners and health department of those districts and will review the COVID situation and submit the final report within three days to the chief minister and state health minister. An economic package for weaker sections will be announced after a cabinet meeting, If Covid situation in the state escalates more in the next 15 days,” added Minister Mahanta.

“To contain #Covid cases, more restrictions & containment measures would be put in place from May 13, 2021. Detailed SOP will be issued on Wednesday. In case restrictions have to continue for more than a fortnight, Govt will consider financial relief package for weaker sections,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also posted on Social Media

The Health Ministry also informed that there will be no full lockdown in the state, however, if the situation further worsens, strict measures and protocols will be implemented to break the Covid infection chain and contain the spread of the virus.

As of May 10, the new wave of the Covid-19 virus has rendered 5,803 people across the state infected. On the same day, in Barak Valley, all the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi reported the highest single-day spike of Covid positive cases, with each district reporting 369, 154, and 96 cases respectively. As of now, the active Covid cases in Cachar stand at 953 while in the district of Karimganj, the tally stands at 648.