No decision yet by the Assam govt regarding relaxation of lockdown: Chief Secretary

April 25: In a late night move, the government on Friday night permitted opening of neighbourhood and stand alone shops, including those located in residential complexes within municipal areas, but at a 50 per cent strength and after taking necessary precautions in the light of coronavirus pandemic. However, Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna on Saturday informed that the government hasn’t decided on any relaxation to the ongoing lockdown.

Alert- Assam Chief Secretary @KrSanjayKrishna informs- no relaxation on ongoing lockdown has yet been decided by the Govt of Assam like opening of shops, beauty parlours etc. A decision in this regard will be taken only on 27th April- DIPR#COVID2019india #StayHome

— AIR News Guwahati (@airnews_ghy) April 25, 2020

Further, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order,GP Singh has confirmed in a tweet that the Home Ministry’s new order to open single shops are not to be implemented in Assam, unless ordered by the state government.

Please abide by these instructions. https://t.co/Si3GUeaAhh

— GP Singh (@gpsinghassam) April 25, 2020

DIPR Assam also took to its twitter handle and wrote, “#Important Update: @KrSanjayKrishna, Chief Secretary, Assam has informed that no relaxation of ongoing lockdown has yet been decided by the Govt of Assam like opening of shops, beauty parlours etc. A decision in this regard will be taken only on 27 April, 2020.”

#ImportantUpdate: @KrSanjayKrishna, Chief Secretary, Assam has informed that no relaxation of ongoing lockdown has yet been decided by the Govt of Assam like opening of shops, beauty parlours etc. A decision in this regard will be taken only on 27 April, 2020.

— DIPR Assam (@diprassam) April 25, 2020

Meanwhile, the MHA order issued on Friday late night stated “All shops registered under the the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/UT, including shops in residential complexes and market complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single brand malls, outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, with 50 per cent strength of workers with wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory” will be allowed to function. But for the state of Assam, this directive will not be implemented as of now.