Guwahati: While health authorities in Guwahati sealed a mosque after a maulana travelled from red zone (Nalbari), Assam cabinet has decided to allow shops in rural areas to start functioning except the haats and daily market.
In Guwahati, the mosque was sealed after a person travelled from Nalbari to Guwahati. Along with Nalbari there are four other districts in Assam marked as red zone.
A police official said, "Locals of the area complained about the movement and accordingly we have acted and movement that person has come from red zone."
Assam has earlier kept on hold implementation of
Union Ministry of Home Affairs notification allowing in rural areas, all shops, except those in shopping malls are allowed to open.
Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said, “The cabinet has decided that shops in rural areas will open however no haat or bazzar can function.”
Stating that Assam government will abide by whatever Centre decides on
lockdown post May 3, he said, “Shops within the five km radius of inter district border in the red zone will not be allowed to operate.”
Earlier Assam is allowed three day conditional intra district movement will be allowed on April 25, 26 and 27. The cabinet has decided to extend the same till May 2.
Meanwhile Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in the discussion with Prime minister
Narendra Modi said the lockdown in the State will continue post May 3 with relaxation in non-Covid19 affected districts.
Sangma suggested Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Meghalaya model of “Rapid Response System”, wherein within specified time frame response is initiated by health, administration and police on detection of new Covid-19 cases.
The Chief Minister said, “The rapid response system will enable the government to work at micro level, like the panchayat institutions and prepare us for any such situation that may arise in future.”
He suggested that response of different stakeholders should be specified in the form of an standard operating procedures (SoPs), who can respond immediately within 60 minutes.
He also suggested the Prime Minister that an “Economic Task Force” by all the States be setup for exchange of ideas and possible solutions to initiate economic activities by adhering to necessary precautionary protocols.
“There is an economic State to State dependence. The establishment of economic task force will help States and its adjoining neighbours to a large extent in devising practical measures to revive the economic,” the Chief Minister added.
Talking about the prevailing situation, the Chief Minister told the Prime Minister that the use of technology has become more important and we should prepare ourselves for the change by integrating technology in governance, healthcare and business.
Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga tweeted, “Currently in video conference meeting with the hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji alongwith other CMs regarding #covid19. I talked about actions taken by our state and the disciple and cooperation of people! I thank the
Central Government for their care and various endeavours.”