Assam Govt issues new Covid SOP; no physical instruction in the state till Class VIII

Jan. 24:  The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has issued a revised and consolidated directive today for public safety and possible outbreak of COVID with variant forms of the virus for both rural and urban areas which will remain in force w.e.f 6 AM of January 25, 2022 until further orders.

The salient features of today’s order are as follows:

1. In view of the Republic Day celebrations, the programme will be limited to National Flag hoisting, speech by the guest of honour and ceremonial parade only. Regular activities like cultural programmes, award/prize distribution are to be avoided. It is clarified that there shall be no tableaux display during the Republic Day programme.

2. The gathering for Republic Day celebration may be limited to a maximum of 1000 in Kamrup (Metro) and 500 for district level function in other districts and 200 for other level.

3. Pre and Post Republic Day celebrations may be avoided in view of the prevailing COVID situation in the state. Only trained and fully vaccinated police, security personnel and home-guards shall be allowed to participate in the ceremonial parade. No any school children would be allowed.

4. Night curfew time will be from 10.00 PM to 6 AM across the State.

5. Accordingly, all business/ commercial establishments. Dine in Restaurants, hotels, Dhabas and other eateries (Upto 50% of seating capacity), opening of sale counters, showrooms etc. of cold storages and warehouses, shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, will open up to 9.00 PM. Take away of food items from restaurants/dhabas and other eateries are allowed up to 10:00 PM.

6. Takeaway of food items from restaurants, dhabas and other eateries on State and National Highways are allowed round the clock subject to observance of Covid protocol.

7. Government and Private Offices/ Establishments will function as per usual working hours but not beyond 9.00 PM.

8. All Government servants (including contractual and fixed pay and emergency/essential services) should be fully vaccinated and shall attend office. Employees who are not vaccinated will not be allowed to attend office and they will have to avail leave, if available or extra ordinary leave for which they will not be paid salary.

9. Physical instruction in all schools upto class VIII in all districts shall be suspended and all such educational institutions shall migrate to virtual option until further orders. The Situation shall be reviewed regularly and necessary instructions shall be issued by the Education Department.

10. Physical classes shall be allowed on alternate days for class IX and above in all districts.

ORDER| Guidelines issued to be followed across the State for public safety and possible outbreak of #Covid with variant forms of the virus which will come into force with effect from 6 AM of January 25, 2022 and will remain in force until further orders. 2/2#Assam #ASDMA pic.twitter.com/8IlozhrKVg

— Assam State Disaster Management Authority (@sdma_assam) January 24, 2022

11. Regarding meeting/ gathering at any open spaces, a maximum of 200 double vaccinated members and in closed spaces (Marriages/Religious functions) upto 50% of the seating capacity or 200 fully vaccinated persons, whichever is lower to be allowed.

12. Prior permission from Jurisdictional District Disaster Management Authority is necessary for gathering of people more than the above mentioned numbers.

13. For religious/ social places, up to 60 fully vaccinated persons per hour for iconic places and 40 for other religious places are allowed. For funeral/last rites, only 20 persons are allowed.

14. COVID appropriate behavior has to be followed everywhere. Wearing of face mask is compulsory in all public places and non-compliance of the same will attract of fine. All people are mandated to carry proof of being fully vaccinated at all the places.

15. The penal provision and other restrictions as notified in the order of January 7, 2022 shall continue to remain in force except those specifically modified by this order.