Assam's New SOP: Cinema Halls allowed to open with 50% cap, Curfew relaxed from 11:00pm to 5:00am

Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has reviewed the COVID situation in the state and noted that the daily new cases of Covid are hovering between 300 and 400, “mostly reported from the urban and peri-urban areas and most of the districts are reporting less than 10 cases per day for the last 4-5 weeks”

ASDMA also noted that the vaccination situation has improved significantly with 95% of the total eligible population in the state having received atleast one dose. Many districts in the state are nearing saturation and second dose vaccination has also gone up to 31% of the total eligible population in the state.

After duly reviewing all the COVID particulars, the ASDMA has issued a new SOP:

A. Containment Zones:

ln case the test positivity of COVID19 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 up to the usual time-of closure but not beyond 10 PM.

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

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 in whose case vaccination is contra-indicated as per guidelines issued by the Health Department of Government of Assam and /or such claim are certified by a registered medical practitioner will have to get themselves vaccinated and attend office. Employees engaged in emergency / essential services shall attend their duty without any restrictions at any place.

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 three 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. lntra-district transport, with ‘100% seating capacity subject to observance of COVID19 appropriate behaviour, shall be allowed for passengers having at least a 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 the driving license of the driver/registration of the vehicle will also be canceled in the event of carrying standing passengers.

7. Wearing of face mask is mandatory even for a single person driving a vehicle. ln 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 lnstitutions (Government and Private):

The guidelines issued by Education Department vide Order No.ASE.0 1/2020lPt1U169 dated 28th September,2021 lor Elementary, Upper Primary, Secondary Schools and Degree Colleges/Engineering Colleges/Polytechnics/Teacher training colleges/Universities will be applicable for both government, non-government and private educational institutions(Annexure-D).

 

 

G. Miscellaneous

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

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

3. Shopkeepers and customers shall have to wear masks 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 rea gardens may function subject to observance of COVID appropriate behaviour. Head of the tea garden shall be responsible of ensuring social distancing, mask-wearing by workers and staff, sanitization of industrial premises, thermal scanning etc.

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

6, All vehicles will be arrowed to ply without any odd-even restrictions.