New Protocol: All shops to be closed at 2 PM & curfew from 6 PM in Assam from 5 May

May 4: With the spike in the new coronavirus cases in the state, Assam government has now decided to be more stringent in its approach. The state government in a revised SOP has ordered revised timing of night curfew and closing of shops and business establishments in Assam. As per the new directives, all shops and business establishments in the state will be closed from 2 PM. It needs mention here that as of now, these were asked to close at 6 PM.

Further, the timing of night curfew in the state has also been revised. The fresh directives stated that night curfew in Assam will now be from 6 PM to 5 AM instead of 8 PM. There will be strict restrictions on movement of individuals after 6 PM. However, there will be exemption for emergency services. The revised guidelines for night curfew and closing of shops and business establishments will come into effect in Assam from 5 AM on 5 May, 2021 (Wednesday) and will remain in force until further orders.

The Salient features of the order issued by the the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on 4 May, 2021 are:

1. All shops and commercial establishments shall shut down at 2 PM (1400 Hrs.) on all days;

2. All offices both private and Government shall shut down at 2.00 PM (1400 Hrs) on all days. This will not be applicable for organizations rendering Essential and Emergency Services, Law Enforcing Services and Election Work.

3. No meeting / gathering at any open or closed spaces shall be allowed;

4. For marriages, only religious part will be allowed with presence of maximum of 20 (twenty) persons. No reception parties will be allowed before or after the marriage;

5. At all religious places, congregation of not more than five persons shall be allowed at any time;

6. Total restrictions on movement of persons at public places shall be imposed from 6 PM (1800 Hrs.) to 5 AM (0500 Hrs.) on all days except for persons engaged in essential and emergency services.

7. District Magistrates and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati will issue orders under Cr.PC (Section 144) to the same effect.

8. Restaurants, Dhabas and other eateries can entertain dine-in guest only up to 2.00 PM. Takeaway including home delivery of food is allowed till 6.00 PM after which only home delivery of food will be allowed.

9. Restaurants operating within a Hotel or Resort can allow outside guests up to 2.00 PM only. However, in-house guests of the Hotel/Resort may be allowed to dine-in up to the usual time of operation.

10. Delivery of essential goods through e-Commerce may continue with observance of COVID appropriate behavior.

11. Cold storages and warehouses may continue after 2.00 PM. However, sale counters, showrooms etc. attached to these warehouses or cold storages shall not operate after 2.00 PM.

12. Further, the District Magistrates will declare an area or a city or district or well defined parts thereof as containment zones if the test positivity of COVID -19 in such areas reaches 10% or more in the last one week or bed occupancy either oxygen supported or ICU beds crosses 60%. In the event of declaration of containment zones, the Districts have been directed to enforce strict restrictions as per directives issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOl on April 25, 2021.