Government cannot stop people returning to Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Health & Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the government cannot send back people returning to their homes from various States even as it might cause an alarm in the prevailing COVID-19 scene in Assam.

Sarma told reporters here on Sunday that the people of Assam living in other States have been asked to return to their home State.

"Many people of Assam are returning amidst a lot of hardships. There are reports that some youths are returning on bicycles. Under such circumstances how can the State Government send back these people? We have to accept these people and also take it as a challenge to ensure that they do not spread COVID-19. So far, we have been able to detect the virus in persons coming from outside at a very early stage. The need of the hour is to increase the number of hospital facilities. The people must take all precautions such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently so that they do not get infected by coronavirus," Sarma said.

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