Assam to unlock further from August 16, but weekend lockdowns will continue

GUWAHATI: Assam government on Thursday issued guidelines for unlocking from August 16 with several relaxations that include shortening of night curfew hours on weekdays, but weekend lockdowns will continue till August 31.
There will be an exception on this Saturday, allowing day-long movement for people to celebrate Independence Day. This was stated in a separate order by chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna.
The government has reduced the daily night curfew hours on weekdays and from August 16 movement of people will be prohibited from 9.30pm, instead of 6pm at present, to 5am next day. But, all permitted activities will have to be closed down by 9pm, according to the government restrictions.
This edition of unlock will see the resumption of city bus services after seven weeks since the city went into a lockdown from June 28 following a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Also, inter-district movement of people will now be allowed for five days a week between Monday and Friday instead of Mondays and Tuesday at present. The inter-district movement was suspended since July 18.
“Inter-district movement of passenger vehicles and people are allowed between Monday and Friday only. Inter-District movement of vehicles is allowed with 50% capacity,” the notification states. Likewise city buses will also have to maintain of all Covid-19 protocols and social distancing and will be allowed to ply with only 50% capacity.
The left hand and right hand norm for opening of shops and business establishments on alternate days will be withdrawn from August 16, the notification states.
Spitting in public places, consumption of tobacco and liquor products will continue to be strictly prohibited.
In addition, social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, religious functions and other large congregations numbering more than 50 persons will also remain prohibited. Similarly cinema, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places of public gathering will remain closed.
“No activities are allowed in Containment Zones and entry and exit from such zones are strictly prohibited” and “No movement of individuals shall be allowed on Saturday and Sunday at any time all over the state,” according to the guidelines, which add, “Persons above 65 years of age and children below the age of ten years are advised to stay indoors except for unavoidable health reasons.”
The state government in its previous unlock guidelines has allowed reopening of bars, restaurants and gyms.