Unlock: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hints Assam won’t have any SOP from February 15, Cinemas to run with full capacity

The Assam Government has decided to withdraw all the COVID Restrictions in Assam from February 15, 2021. In a Press Conference at Janata Bhawan, Dispur, the Chief Minister of Assam along with other ministers announced this big move this morning. Starting from night curfew to restricted weddings and funerals, all the restrictions will be withdrawn after 15 of this month. Emphasis has been given on the double vaccination of everyone including students in the age group of 15 to 18. Cinema halls will be able to run in full capacity from that day.

Addressing the media the CM emphasized the Municipal Body Elections and matriculation and higher secondary examinations in the state, and he stated these reasons for the withdrawal of the COVID restrictions. The CM said, “Starting from February 15, all the restrictions will be withdrawn in the state. There won’t be any night curfew as well. Restrictions from Cinema halls, malls etc., will be withdrawn. But two points must not be ignored, one is mask will remain mandatory and second, higher secondary and matriculation board students must get double vaccinated before the exams. The SEBA and Council will release guidelines later about that”. The CM has announced the double vaccination of students today so that by the time of the exams, they can complete their double dosage of vaccine. The CM has also requested the students to get vaccinated as early as possible so that they can produce their vaccine certificates while entering the exam centre during the board and council exams.

The CM further said, “In case of any public meetings, mass gatherings, etc., the public attending must be double vaccinated and they must carry their certificates. The cinema hall will be able to run with 100% capacity, but only customers with double doses should be allowed to enter. In case of a wedding as well, the wedding can go on for the entire night if they decide, but only on one condition that the guests must be double dosed with Covid vaccine”. The CM has expressed on the positive side that, the number of positive patients in the hospital are less now and so is the positivity rate, that’s the reason behind removing all the restrictions.

Answering the question of whether non-vaccinated students will be allowed to attend the exams, the CM said, “Let’s not talk about the negatives now and we urge all the students to get vaccinated. The decision to whether they will be allowed or not will come before the exams in consultation with the educational board and council”. Among other issues in the conference, the CM has laid special emphasis on the double dosage of Covid Vaccine and the mandatory use of masks in public places.