Assam: Positivity rate 0.65% in Assam, curfew time reduced to six hours

GUWAHATI: The state government has reduced curfew timings to six hours (from 11 pm to 5 am), as the daily Covid positivity rate dropped to 0.65% post Durga Puja celebrations. Commercial establishments and offices have been allowed to remain open till 10 pm.
The order issued by state chief secretary Jishnu Barua noted that the overall Covid scenario in the state has further improved. Earlier, night curfew started at 10 pm.
The latest order published on Tuesday notified that marriages and religious functions are allowed with not more than 50 at least single-dose vaccinated people. In funerals, too, a maximum gathering of 50 people will be allowed.
Hotels and resorts have been allowed to operate upto 10 pm, but delivery of essential goods through e-commerce will continue round the clock.
Weekly haats and bazaars have been allowed to open in shifts of maximum six hours. Cinema and theatre halls are also allowed to function with 50% seating capacity of fully vaccinated viewers with Covid appropriate behavior.
In case of religious places, upto 60 fully vaccinated people are being allowed to visit per hour at ‘iconic places’. The corresponding figure is 40 for other religious places. Only fully vaccinated pilgrims are allowed to enter Pujas, read the order.
For educational institutions, the September 28 guidelines issued by the state education department will be applicable.
All intra-district and inter-district passenger transport and movement have been allowed with 100% passengers who have taken at least a single dose of vaccine. Passengers won’t be allowed to stand. Pillion riding on motorcycles is allowed with at least a single dose of vaccination.
“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,” read the order. It added that the Covid vaccination status has significantly improved with 95% of the total eligible population in the state receiving the first dose, while second dose vaccination has also gone up to 31%.