Guwahati: Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna today announced that the state government shall relax the lockdown restrictions on Saturday (August 15), India's 74th Independence Day.
The curfew shall be lifted from 6 am to 5 pm across the state so that citizens can participate in the Independence Day celebrations, the Chief Secretary announced in an order dated August 13.
"In view of the celebration of Independence Day, 2020, movement of individuals shall be allowed between 6 am and 5 pm on 15th August, 2020, subject to maintenance of all COVID-19 protocols including social distancing, hand hygiene, and wearing of face covers in all public places at all times", the Chief Secretary's notice read.
Lockdown Relaxations for Independence Day!!! 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/dbF7mYVXcY
— Hardi Singh (@HardiSpeaks) August 13, 2020
It is to be noted that the state Government is persisting with the weekend lockdowns to arrest the spread of the coronavirus.
"No movement of individuals shall be allowed on Saturday and Sunday at any time all over the state", said the latest notification issued from the Chief Secretary's office on August 13.
This year, the Independence Day parade shall be a low-key affair and has been shifted to the Judges' Field in the city as the traditional venue, the Veterinary Field at Khanapara has been converted into a COVID Care Centre.
The yearly function will be held in accordance with the Centre's directives meant to minimize the chances of COVID-19 transmissions during the celebrations.
Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Biswajiit Pegu, inspecting the ground ahead of the function today, told media persons that this year, the number of guests shall be kept to a minimum owing to the pandemic situation.
All the COVID-19 protocols will be strictly followed during the (relatively) low-key celebration, said Pegu. Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna and Guwahati Police Commissioner Munna Prasad Gupta also reviewed the preparedness of the State level celebration of Independence Day at Judges Field, the new venue.
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