Assam Unlocks classroom education for students in higher classes; Curfew now from 9:00 pm

By barakbulletin On September 1, 2021 - 11:30 am

After reviewing the COVID situation in the state, the government of Assam has issued a fresh set of guidelines to be followed.

The order states, in the exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 22(2)(h) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the undersigned, in his capacity, Jishnu Baruah as Chairperson, State Executive Committee of the State Disaster Management Authority, Assam, do hereby issues the following directives for both rural and urban areas which will remain in force w.e.f. 11 AM of September 01, 2021, until further orders

A. Containment Zones:

In case the test positivity of COVID-19 in any area reaches more than 10 cases in the last 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, in such zones, emergency services will continue round the clock and essential services including shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, animal fodder, etc. will remain open upto 8 PM.

Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce in such areas will continue round the clock.

B. Restrictions imposed:

C. Other restrictions and relaxations:

1. All Government servants (including contractual and fixed pay) who have taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine shall attend office. However, all other employees except those whose case vaccination is contra-indicated as per guidelines issued by the Health Department of Government of Assam and /or such claim is certified by a registered medical practitioner will have to get themselves vaccinated within 3 days from the date of issue of this order and attend office.

2. Employees engaged in emergency / essential services shall attend their duty without any restrictions at any place.

3. The organizations (Government/Private) rendering Essential/Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Services and Election work will continue working without any restrictions in all districts.

4. Pregnant women employees and women employees with children of 3 years or below working under any Government / PSU / Financial Institutions / Private Organizations irrespective of their grade shall be eligible to work from home

5. 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)

1. Goods transport shall continue unhindered.

2 All Public transport authorities shall enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior and seating inside the vehicles, carriers, containers etc.

3. Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate for passengers with 100% seating capacity and observance of COVID-19 appropriate behavior for passengers having at least a single dose of vaccine

4. Pillion riding on motorcycles may be allowed with at least single vaccinated persons and compulsory wearing of mask.

5. Intra-district transport, with 100% seating capacity subject to observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, shall be allowed for passengers having at least single dose of vaccine. No standing passenger shall be allowed. Heavy fine will be imposed on such passengers and driving license of the driver/ registration of the vehicle will also be cancelled in the event of carrying standing passengers.

6. All inter-district passenger transport and movement shall be allowed with 100% passengers having at least single dose of vaccine subject to observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

No standing passenger shall be allowed. Heavy fine will be imposed on such passengers and driving license of the driver/ registration of the vehicle will also be cancelled in the event of carrying standing passengers.

7. Wearing of face mask is mandatory even for a single person driving a vehicle. In case of persons traveling in any private car, up to 100 % of its seating capacity, wearing of face mask is mandatory for all the persons.

E. Educational Institutions (Government and Private):

1. The physical classes for the postgraduate, graduate and higher secondary final year shall be allowed for students having at least single-dose vaccine. However, students of Class XII who are below 18 years of age and if not vaccinated, should also be allowed to attend the physical classes. There should not be more than 30 students in a section. The head of the institution will assess the required number of sections and open more sections accordingly, if required.

2. The schools are allowed to open for the first three days only for vaccination of the students, teachers and staff etc. The physical classes shall start from September 6, 2021.

3. All Educational Institutions shall continue to provide quality virtual options classes other than the post graduate, graduate and higher secondary final year.

4. The hostels of the educational institutions are allowed to open only for the postgraduate, graduate and higher secondary final year students with fully vaccinated residents.

5. The physical classes of GNM, Nursing courses and that of technical institutions shall also be allowed to be started with at least single dose of vaccinated pupils, teachers and support staff.

F: Gatherings

G. Miscellaneous

1. Wearing of face mask is compulsory in all public places.

2. Shop owners shall ensure minimum six feet distance among customers and shall not allow more than 5 persons inside the shop. In addition, shop owners should compulsorily keep sanitizers and hand wash in their shops.

3. Shopkeepers and customers shall have to wear masks, hand gloves 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 and may entail summary closure of defaulting shops.

4. Industrial units and Tea gardens may function subject to observance of COVID appropriate behaviour. 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.

5. Operation of physical activities of Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) including eauction are allowed with 50% of the total work force till 8 PM including tea tasting, sampling, brokering. Warehousing is fully exempted.

6. Excise authority will continue taking strong action against illegal production and sale of country liquor in all the districts as a COVID containment measure.

7. All vehicles will be allowed to ply without any odd-even restrictions.