COVID-19 Lockdown: Dispur plans to open schools, colleges in phases

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Even though the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Assam is nearing the four-digit figure, the State government is planning to step into normal life in phases after Lockdown 4.0. The government is planning to open schools, colleges, malls etc in phases.

Opening a 180-bed and 60-ICU COVID Hospital in Guwahati on Friday, State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "With the people of Assam adhering to social distancing norms, the State government wants to normalize the situation, slowly. We're contemplating on opening classes XI and XII first. It will be followed by classes IX and X. Likewise we can open 50 per cent of shops in malls first. We can't stop life to a grinding halt for long."

On the hospital that was opened on Friday, Sarma said, "This is a superspeciality hospital that has been converted into a COVID hospital. It'll remain a COVID hospital till the virus remains active. Serious symptomatic COVID patients in the third stage will be treated in this hospital. This Rs 150-crore hospital has ultra-violet germicidal eradication system installed for de-infection. A number of asymptomatic COVID patients have been admitted to various COVID hospitals in the State."

Meanwhile, another hospital converted to COVID hospital was also opened in Tezpur on Friday.

Even as Sarma said on reopening schools, many schools are used as quarantine centres. On Thursday, the Assam State Disaster Management (ASDM) instructed the deputy commissioners to engage teachers in flood relief duty. In such a situation, as to how schools and colleges will function smoothly is an open question.