New SOP to be Effective from June 28, Hotspots Likely to be Declared as Containment Zones

GUWAHATI:

According to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, a new Covid SOP would be implemented across the state on Saturday. The new SOP is expected to go into force on Monday. 

"There are no chances of a total lockdown in any districts, instead currently identified hotspots will be declared as containment zones," stated CM Sarma. 

The Assam government is said to release a new COVID Curfew SOP today sometime late in the afternoon after the cabinet meeting with chances of relaxation on many fronts. Speaking to the media, Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika said that Sonitpur District might go into a complete lockdown if the COVID19 situation doesn't improve. 

According to sources, for Guwahati, there might be curfew relaxations in which residents will get a window of extra hours. The covid curfew right now starts at 2 PM and shops and establishments are closed at 1 PM, however, there are good chances that the curfew will start at 6 PM with shops and establishments closing at 5 PM.

This is due to the COVID-19 positivity rate coming down in the city based on which the government might take this decision. Apart from Guwahati, places like South Salmara, Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, Udalguri, Chirang might also have similar relaxations. A few more districts may be added to the list.

On inter-district travel, the same is said to remain suspended till the 1st of July.

The Government is not taking any chances as in some districts the cases are hovering around or above 2 percent. Nine districts: Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, Morigaon, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Cachar are seeing a gradual decline in COVID19 infections. 

Though the districts are under Category Red, the government might break up the areas based on positivity rate and regulate the curfew hours and relaxation hours.

Also Read - New COVID-19 Curfew SOP for Assam: Curfew Relaxation in Kamrup (M) on the Cards

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