Spitting in public, not wearing masks could cost Rs 1000; Assam issues new unlock guidelines

Today the chief secretary of Assam Kumar Sanjay Krishna announced a new set of guidelines that need to be followed in the state. He has also announced that the weekend lockdowns and night curfew in the state stand lifted.

“With the objective of containing the spread of COVIDI9 in the state of Assam, various orders under the Disaster Management Act were issued prohibiting certain activities with the objective of preventing the spread of Corona Virus. However, on August 29, the Central Government in its Unlock 4 guidelines mandated further unlocking of the states.

Accordingly, the Assam government has decided to lift the restrictions in interdistrict travel, night curfew, weekend lockdowns. In acordance with the central government’s order, the state has issued a set of guidelines.

These are:

1. Activities permitted outside of Containment Zones:-

All activities shall be allowed outside of Containment Zones except the following: –

a. Schools, Colleges, educational and coaching institutes for regular class activities shall remain closed till September 30, 2020;

b. Online and distance learning activities are allowed to continue;

c. 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff are allowed to attend educational institutions at a time for online teaching/tele-counseling and related works only in areas outside of Containment Zones:

d. Students of class 9 to 12 are allowed to visit their schools on a voluntary basis and with the written consent of parents for guidance from teachers only;

e. Skill and entrepreneurship training will be permitted with strict compliance of COVID 19 protocols and in line with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India;

f. Higher educational institutions are allowed to operate only for research and unavoidable laboratory / experimental works. This will be allowed only on the issue of necessary SoP by the Department of Higher Education;

g. Public Transport will be allowed to operate from September 7, 2020, with strict compliance of social distancing and other COVID protocols;

h. Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions shall be allowed with a gathering of a maximum of 100 persons at a time with effect from September 21, 2020, with the mandatory wearing of face cover and maintenance of all other COVID protocols already issued;

However. marriage related gatherings shall be restricted to 50 persons and last rite related gatherings shall be restricted to 20 persons at a time which will continue to remain in force till September 20, 2020 after which 100 persons shall be allowed to gather;

i. Cinema Halls, Swimming Pools, entertainment parks, theatres and similar places will remain closed:

2. Lockdown shall remain in force in all Containment Zones till September 30, 2020;

3. Containment Zones shall be demarcated by District Magistrates with clear delineation of borders of the same and with the sole objective of breaking the chain of transmission of COVID 19 virus ensuring that there is no movement of people in or out of such zones except for emergency and medical purposes.

4. These Containment Zones will be notified by the District Authorities on the official website and shared with MoHFW: 5. There will be no restrictions on the inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate pass/ permits etc. shall be required for the same;

Advisories:-

1. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 are advised to stay at home except for medical emergencies;

2. Citizens are advised to download the Aarogya Setu application in compatible mobile phones and post regular update of their health status on the same.
Penal Provisions: –

(a) Any person violating any of the guidelines as enumerated above is liable to be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and also under section 188 of IPC;

(b) Any person not wearing face cover and/ or spitting in public places shall be fined Rs.1,000/- on the spot besides being prosecuted under relevant provisions of Law: