Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday directed the Baksa district administration to take effective measures to stop the movement across the Indo-Bhutan border.

He urged the administration to enforce complete lockdown in the area to break the chain of coronavirus transmission in the district.

Sonowal directed this to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police while visiting the district to assess its preparedness to deal with novel coronavirus outbreak.

Sonowal also chaired a meeting at Mushalpur, in which he said, “Given the COVID-19 outbreak the district administration should essentially focus on three-pronged agenda like protection of health, maintenance of supply chain and complete adherence to lockdown to wage a war against novel coronavirus.”

He also asked the DC to convene the district level task force meets regularly to maintain constant vigilance on the situation of the district.

So far no positive cases have been reported from Baksa and constant care has been taken to stop any kind of infection.

Altogether 13 quarantine centres and 4 isolation wards have been set up in the district.

The CM further asked the DC and the Joint Director of Health Services to provide all facilities to the doctors as well as other front line personnel who are handling the COVID-19 situation.

He also asked SP Prateek Thube to motivate the police personnel as well as train them on the basic protocol to deal with any suspected case.

He further asked the DC to maintain robust supply chain in the district so that there is no dearth of essential commodities and also to ensure the quality of goods provided to people during the lockdown period.

He also asked APDCL to maintain uninterrupted power supply and Fishery and Veterinary department to cater to the needs of poultry and fish to the people by maintaining adequate social distance.

Sonowal asked the DC that during this health emergency he should motivate the men and materials of his district to work as a team with the spirit of Team Assam to give a bayfront in the battle against coronavirus.

Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, PHE Minister Rihon Daimary, MP Biswajit Daimary, MLA Thaneswar Basumatary, Emanuel Mushahary, Bimal Bora, Principal Secretary BTC Jolly Das Brahma, Deputy Commissioner Ranjan Sharma, IGP Anurag Agarwal and other senior officers of the district were present in the meeting.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sonowal visited a quarantine centre in Mushalpur.

Later talking to the media persons, Chief Minister Sonowal lauded their role and thanked them for helping the administration in its fight against COVID-19.

He also wished them on the occasion of Rongali Bihu and Assamese New Year.

Chief Minister Sonowal also appealed to the people as a part of their Bihu celebration to light an earthen lamp on Tuesday at 6 pm on their courtyard.