Assam extends curfew by 10 days, to end on June 16

GUWAHATI: Assam on Friday further extended the Covid-induced curfew for 10 more days from Sunday, which will now start from 1 pm, instead of 2 pm, to 5 am next day.
The new timing will be in force till 5 am of June 16 after the current SOP period ends on Saturday. The directives will be applicable to both urban and rural areas across the state, the state disaster management authority stated in its order.
Apart from curfew, all inter-district transport services and movement of people to and from other districts will remain suspended.
The new SOP has come as the state’s Covid-19 situation appears to be inching towards normal as the test positivity rate on Friday came under 4% for the first time since more than 50 days even as number of new cases marginally increased from 4309 on Thursday to 4548 on Friday.
Fatalities, which has been the biggest worry for the government in this second wave of the pandemic, climbed to 3577 on Friday after 54 more succumbed during the day.
The new SOP stated that other restrictions, including the odd- even formula for plying of vehicles, declaration of containment zones, work places etc. as notified on May 12 and May 15 for urban and peripheral areas will continue to remain in force.
The new SOP states, “Restaurants, dhabas and other eateries can entertain dine-in guest only up to 12 noon and takeaway, including home delivery of food, is allowed till 1 PM after which only home delivery of food will be allowed.”
It stated that restaurants operating within a hotel or resort can allow outside guests up to 12 noon only but in-house guests of the hotel and resort may be given only room service after 12 noon.
“Cold storages and warehouses may continue after 12 noon. However, sale counters, showrooms etc. attached to these warehouses or cold storages shall not operate after 12 noon,” the revised SOP stated.