No Lockdown, Bihu to be Celebrated Across Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI: Assam health and finance minister Dr Himanta Biswa Saram in a press meet at the BJP headquarters in Guwahati said that there will be no lockdown and Rogali Bihu 2021 will be celebrated with fanfare.

Further, the minister said that there is no possibility of lockdown or night curfew in Assam.

"I request everyone to get themselves tested if they have symptoms. There is no need to panic but we should remain alert," he added.

Speaking on the rising number of COVID cases in Assam, Himanta Biswa said that during March 2020 Assam witnessed a massive surge in cases and now at the same time along with the rest of India, the state is also seeing a rise of COVID-19 cases in the second wave.

Meanwhile, SOPs for the Bihu celebration will also be released in the state.

The Assam government on April 7 conducted 18,000 covid tests which were around 7,000 if compared to earlier. Further, the government now aims to conduct around 35,000 tests and gradually increase to 1 lakh.

Notably, the state government has decided to conduct at least 1 lakh COVID19 tests in the next 7 days so that Bihu can be celebrated without any fear.

It is to be mentioned here that earlier the state health minister said "If we can have elections, then why not Bihu celebrations."

Further, the minister said that last year due to COVID-19 the artist fraternity of Assam was badly affected due to the lockdown and other restrictions as Bihu is the only source of their income.

However this year Bihu will be celebrated without any worries, the minister said. Assam is set to celebrate the Bohag Bihu festival from April 14 to April 16.

As per the report of National Health Mission (NHM), Health and Family Welfare, Government of Assam, Assam had recorded 195 new cases across the state out of which 104 had been detected from the district of Kamrup (M), as of 7th of April 2021. This metropolitan district of Assam has shown a sudden unexpected and steep rise in the cases which is very alarming, to say the least.

Also Read: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal Takes 1st Shot of COVID-19 Vaccine

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