After a day, Assam govt issues revised SOP wef 28 Oct: Amended rules for Marriage & Funeral

Oct. 27: A day after publication of Revised Guidelines in connection with Covid-19, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on 27 October, 2021 came up with another SOP, whereby certain provisions were amended. The new SOP issued on 27 October will come into force from 5 AM of 28 October, 2021 and will remain in force until further order.

The significant changes made in the revised SOP on 27 October is in connection with public Gatherings.

• SOP of 26/10/2021: Marriage & Religious Functions: Allowed with not more than 50 single vaccinated persons.
• Revised SOP of 27/10/2021: Allowed with not more than 200 single vaccinated persons.

• SOP of 26/10/2021: Funeral & Last Rites: Allowed with not more than 50 persons.
• Revised SOP of 27/10/2021: Allowed with not more than 100 persons.

As per the new guidelines,shops and business establishments shall remain open from 5 AM till 10 PM and Covid curfew will begin from 11 PM.

A. Containment Zones:

In case the test positivity of COVID-19 in any area reaches more than 10 cases in the last seven days. the jurisdictional District Magistrate will notify such areas as total containment zones in consultation with MD. NHM and ensure necessary containment measures for COVID-19

However, in such zones, emergency services will continue round the clock and essential services including shops dealing with groceries. fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths. animal fodder, etc. will remain open upto usual time of closure but not beyond 10 PM. Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce in such areas will continue round the clock.

C. Other restrictions and relaxations:

1. All Government servants (including contractual and fixed pay) who have taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine shall attend office. However, all other employees except those in whose case vaccination is contra-indicated as per guidelines issued by the Health Department of Government of Assam and /or such claim is certified by a registered medical practitioner will have to get themselves vaccinated and attend office.

2. Employees engaged in emergency / essential services shall attend their duty without any restrictions at any place.

3. The organizations (Government / Private) rendering Essential/Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Services and Election work will continue working without any restrictions in all districts.

4. Pregnant women employees and women employees with children of 3 years or below working under any Government / PSU / Financial Institutions / Private Organizations irrespective of their grade shall be eligible to work from home.

5. Persons with disabilities (PwDs) working in any Government/PSU/ Financial Institutions/ Private organizations shall be allowed to attend duties.

(1/2) SOP | The following guidelines, which are to be strictly adhered in both rural and urban areas will remain in force with effect from 5 AM of 28th October 2021 until further orders. #Assam #SOP #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Frv7WDw7ae

— Assam State Disaster Management Authority (@sdma_assam) October 27, 2021

D. Public Transport (Government and private):

1. Goods transport shall continue unhindered.
2. All Public transport authorities shall enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior and seating inside the vehicles, carriers, containers etc.
3. Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate for passengers with 100% seating capacity and observance of COVID-19 appropriate behavior for passengers having at least a single dose of vaccine.
4. Pillion riding on motorcycles may be allowed with at least single vaccinated persons and compulsory wearing of mask.
5. Intra-district transport. with 100% seating capacity subject to observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour shall be allowed for passengers having at least single dose of vaccine. No standing passenger shall be allowed. Heavy fine will be imposed on such passengers and driving license of the driver/ registration of the vehicle will also be cancelled in the event of carrying standing passengers.
6. All inter-district passenger transport and movement shall be allowed with 100% passengers having at least single dose of vaccine subject to observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. No standing passenger shall be allowed. Heavy fine will be imposed on such passengers and driving license of the driver/ registration of the vehicle will also be cancelled in the event of carrying standing passengers
7. Wearing of face mask is mandatory even for a single person driving a vehicle. In case of persons traveling in any private car, up to 100 % of its seating capacity, wearing of face mask is mandatory for all the persons.

(2/2) SOP | The following guidelines, which are to be strictly adhered in both rural and urban areas will remain in force with effect from 5 AM of 28th October 2021 until further orders. @gpsinghips @assampolice @diprodarrang @DIPRO_Dhubri @diprosonitpur @DiproChirang pic.twitter.com/YQ7I0N4DQf

— Assam State Disaster Management Authority (@sdma_assam) October 27, 2021

E. Educational Institutions (Government and Private):

The guidelines issued by Education Department vide Order No.ASE.01/2020/Pt-11/169 dated 28th September, 2021 for Elementary, Upper Primary. Secondary Schools and Degree Colleges/ Engineering Colleges/ Polytechnics/ Teacher training colleges/ Universities will be applicable for both government, non-government and private educational institutions.

G. Miscellaneous :

1. Wearing of face mask is compulsory in all public places.

2. Shop owners shall ensure minimum six feet distance among customers and shall not allow more than 5 persons inside the shop. In addition, shop owners should compulsorily keep sanitizers and hand wash in their shops.
3. Shopkeepers and customers shall have to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Responsibility of maintenance of social distancing will be on the shop owner and failure to do so will be viewed very seriously and may entail summary closure of defaulting shops.

4. Industrial units and Tea gardens may function subject to observance of COVID appropriate behaviour. Head of the unit/tea garden shall be responsible for ensuring social distancing. mask wearing by workers and staff, sanitization of industrial premises. thermal scanning etc.

5. Excise authority will continue taking strong action against illegal production and sale of country liquor in all the districts as a COVID containment measure.

6. All vehicles will be allowed to ply without any odd-even restrictions.