New SOP: Shops & offices open till 6 PM; Covid curfew from 7 PM w.e.f. 18 Aug

Aug. 17: The situation of COVID-19 in Assam has been further reviewed and shown improvement in terms of case load and overall positivity rate as well. It is in this context that further relaxations were declared by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). An order to this effect was issued on 17 August, 2021 by Jishnu Barua, Chief Secretary Assam. The new directives for both rural and urban areas will remain in force from 5 AM of August 18, 2021 until further orders.

As per the new directives, shops, business establishments, both government and private offices shall remain open till 6 PM across the districts. Covid curfew throughout Assam now will be from 7 PM to 5 AM. Dining in eateries (restaurants, dhabas) with 50% capacity will also be available til 6 PM. Further, Inter-District movement of private vehicles and movement of people shall be allowed eexcept to and from Kamrup Metro district. Inter-district public transport shall, however, remain suspended.

Thc salient features of the new SOP are as follows:

I. Night curfew time will be from 7 PM to 5 AM across the State.

2. Accordingly, all work places, business/ commercial establishments, Dine in Restaurants, hotels, resorts, Dhabas and other eateries, takeaway of food items from restaurants/ dhabas and other eateries, opening of Sale counters, showrooms etc. of cold storages and warehouses, shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, animal fodder will be open up to 6 PM across the State.

3. Inter-district movement of private vehicle and movement of people shall be allowed except to and from Kamrup (Metro) District. Inter-district public transport however shall remain suspended.

4. Meeting/ gathering at any open or closed spaces is allowed up to 200 persons in open spaces (for public function) and up to 50% of the hall capacity or 200 fully vaccinated persons whichever is lower in closed venues.

5. Functions related to National/ International days the ceiling will be upto 50% capacity of the hall

6. Public gathering is allowed up to 25 persons for marriage/ funeral programme.

7. Religious places are allowed to open with up to 20 fully vaccinated persons per hour for iconic places and 10 fully persons per hour for other religious places.

8. Cinema/ Theatre Hall will continue to remain closed.

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

10. Excise authority will take strong action against illegal production and sale of country liquor in all the districts.

11. Other restrictions including declaration of containment zones etc. and exemptions as notified in the order of August 9, 2021 shall continue to remain in force except those specifically modified by this order.

12. All Government servants (including contractual and fixed pay) who have taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine shall attend office. Private sector entities may take their own decision about attendance of their employees on this account. Employees who have not taken vaccine will have to attend office as and when their services are required by respective authorities.

13. 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.

(1/2) SOP | The following directives for both rural and urban areas which will remain in force w.e.f. 5 AM of August 18, 2021 until further orders. #Assam #Guwahati #SOP #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/i08gna2VsJ

— Assam State Disaster Management Authority (@sdma_assam) August 17, 2021

Educational Institutions (Government and Private):

1. All Educational Institutions including Schools/ Colleges/ Universities shall continue to provide quality virtual options.
2. Teachers / Faculty members of such Educational Institutions conducting virtual classes need not attend their respective institution but if District Administration engages in COVID 19 / flood relief related emergency duties, they will have to attend assigned duties.
3. The physical classes in respect of Degree/ Post-Graduate final year students of Engineering/Medical Colleges may be allowed to be started with fully vaccinated students.
4. The physical classes of GNM, Nursing courses and that of Aeronautical Engineering College shall also be allowed to be started with fully vaccinated students.