Guwahati (Assam) , April 21 : The surge in Covid cases in the state continues with a total of 1665 fresh cases detected on Wednesday . Kamrup Metro reported a total of 674 cases .
The overall Positivity Percentage today stands at 2.68%.
Seeing the recent Covid surge , the health minister Dr. Himinta Biswa Sarma tweeted , “We’re ramping up #COVID19 testing facilities by creating a screening centre in every ward of Guwahati City so that people can get access to RTPCR or Rapid Antigen test without any hassle.
The state government also decided in case the daily case rate in Guwahati Metro touches 1000, the district administration has been authorized to take a decision to close down educational institutions & hostels.
From today all people traveling to Assam a 7-day home quarantine is mandatory, which will be in addition to the testing. Government officials and those traveling for medical reasons, and people with bereavement cases shall be exempted.
The state has also placed fresh restrictions on attendance in public transport, Bihu events, schools, offices, gatherings and ordered markets to close earlier as record Covid-19 cases were seen on Monday. While ruling out a complete lockdown, a senior government official said, more restrictions may come after a review of the situation in the next 3-4 days.
Moreover , anyone found not wearing face masks or spitting in public will be fined up to ₹1000, as per the new guidelines, which will remain in force till April 30.
“…It is felt that in order to contain the fast spread of virus, additional prohibition/restrictions on certain activities needs to be imposed, except essential and emergency activities/services as an emergency measure for well being and safety of the people,” the order issued by chief secretary Jishnu Barua, who is also the chairperson of the executive committee of the State Disaster Management Authority, said.
“In closed venues, gatherings up to 50% of the seating capacity can be allowed. No standing audience shall be allowed in open/closed venues,” the order stated .
The number of guests in private functions such as marriages has been restricted to 100, and more than 20 persons will not be allowed for conducting last rites; 20 to 50 persons will be allowed at religious places depending on their size, the order added .
Markets, super markets, shops in malls and weekly markets have been ordered to close down by 6 pm and buses can operate with only 50% passengers and without allowing any passenger to travel standing.
Barber shops, salons and beauty parlours have been allowed to operate while observing Covid-19 safety measures. Industrial units and tea gardens can also function by following protocols.
In government and private offices only 50% employees will be allowed barring any restrictions on officers’ attendance. The guidelines also exempt emergency/essential services, law enforcement and election work. Pregnant women and women with children below 5 years of age shall work from home, the order added .
In educational institutions, both government and private, only 50% students will be allowed in person on a day. Schools have also been asked to change class timings, discontinue morning and special assemblies and prefer online teaching for primary classes.
“On March 21, we recorded 25 positive cases, but the figure went up to 1,367 cases on April 19. The positivity rate, which was 0.57% till 10-15 days back, has now increased to 2.74%,” said Barua explaining the reason behind fresh restrictions.
