Assam govt to adopt guarded approach to meet post-3 May rush: Himanta

May 01: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday announced an extension of two weeks to the nationwide lockdown which was first declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24. The lockdown will now continue till 17 May, 2020. The Lockdown 3.0, however, will not be as restrictive as its previous versions. Extending the lockdown for the second time, the home ministry announced new guidelines based on the demarcation of the country into red zones with “significant risk of spread of the infection”; green zones with either zero cases or no confirmed cases in the past 21 days; and those in between as orange.

#Lockdown extended for two more weeks beyond May 4 due to #COVID2019india#IndiaFightsCoronavirus
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/a5yxuFvEJ5

— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 1, 2020

Assam is fortunate to have no red zones. Taking to his twitter handle, state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed, “It is heartening to share 30 out of 33 districts fall under Green Zone, as per @MoHFW_INDIA categorization of India’s districts. Only 3 are put under Orange zone, and none in Red zone. This is a cause for both cheer, and caution. We need to remain vigilant.”

It is in this backdrop that a video conference with all the Deputy Commissioners of the state was held by State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with his deputy Pijush Hazarika on Friday evening. Himanta tweeted, “To channelise Assam’s administrative machinery to meet the post-May 3 rush, given that 30 of our districts are in Green Zone, I & @Pijush_hazarika held a VC with DCs. We advised that utmost precautions be taken to ensure we still follow a guarded approach.”

To channelise Assam's administrative machinery to meet the post-May 3 rush, given that 30 of our districts are in Green Zone, I & @Pijush_hazarika held a VC with DCs.

We advised that utmost precautions be taken to ensure we still follow a guarded approach.#AssamCares pic.twitter.com/Fjop4lHNdC

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 1, 2020

As regards inter-district movement, the Assam Police gave a message in its Facebook wall, which stated, “Request please wait for detailed Government instructions regarding modalities of Inter State movement. We would help as much as possible.” Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna tweeted, “The procedure for transfer of stranded persons in all states is being finalised soon. Request for patience till furthur notice.”

As regards inter-state movement, the Chief Secretary of Assam earlier informed that GP Singh ADGP(LO) ph 8527612266 is designated as nodal Officer to deal with the movement of stranded migrant workers, students, tourists, pilgrims etc for Assam and other parts of the country. You can write at assamtransportrelief@gmail.com Harmeet Singh ADGP(S)(9622989797) is designated as the alternate Nodal Officer.