Assam issues guidelines for celebration of Independence Day; "Gathering shouldn't be more than 500 at district level"

Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has vide order of August 9, 2021, issued directives for containment of COVID-19 in both rural and urban areas across the State which have a complete ban on any meeting/gathering at any open space throughout the state.

As the nation is celebrating its 75th Independence Day and the State will also be celebrating it centrally as well as at district and sub-divisional levels, therefore, in exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 22(2)(h) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the chief secretary of Assam, in his capacity as Chairperson, State Executive Committee of the State Disaster Management Authority, Assam, do hereby issues the following directives which will be applicable only for the celebration of the Independence Day on August 15, 2021.

1. At State level celebration in open space/field, the gatherings should not be more than 1500 persons.

2. At District level celebration in open space/field, the gatherings should not be more than 500 persons.

3. At Sub-divisional level celebration in open space/field, the gatherings should not be more than 300 persons.

4. For celebration at any de-centralized locations except as mentioned above, the gathering should not be more than 200 persons.

5. For celebration within any closed hall, auditorium etc., the gathering should not be more than 50% of the seating capacity or 200 persons, whichever is less.

6. Persons/officials involved with the celebration or moving for participation in Independence Day celebration will be exempted from the purview of curfew hours and odd-even vehicular restriction.

7. COVID-19 protocols including COVID appropriate behaviour like wearing of face masks, maintenance of social distancing, sanitization etc by all during the ceremony/function are to be strictly followed.