Total lockdown in orange zones except essential services: Himanta Biswa Sarma

OUR CORRESPONDENT

BONGAIGAON: "About 250 people have been institutionally quarantined and about 500 people home quarantined in Bongaigaon district who had direct contact with five COVID-19 positive cases. Samples of institutionally quarantined people have been sent for testing and all results will come after May 11 or May 12. If we don't get any more positive cases from here, then we will decide whether there will be any relaxation in the district or not. But until then, the lockdown will remain in full force in orange zones like Bongaigaon," said State Health and Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma in Bongaigaon on Monday.

Sarma visited Bongaigaon and took stock of the preparadness to deal with the pandemic. State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Phani Bhusan Choudhury, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika, Bongaigaon Deputy Commissioner M S Laxmipriya and other officials accompanied him.

Addressing mediapersons, Sarma said that only pharmacies, grocery shops, petrol depots, supply of vegetables and construction of flood mitigation works would be permitted in orange zones. "Railways and airport will follow MHA guidelines," he added.

"I must elaborate one thing regarding my statement in the press meet in Guwahati yesterday. There I had said that any female employee, whether in private or government sector, who has a child less than five years of age, is exempted from duty. But I must clarify here that this is not applicable to the staff of health service and police service. Other sectors may avail this facility," he said. 

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