A high level review meeting regarding the prevailing COVID-19 situation was held in eastern Assam’s Dibrugarh on Monday.

The meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall in Dibrugarh was attended by the chief secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, additional chief secretaries, DCs/SPs of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhemaji and Charaidro districts and officials of Sadiya.

“We basically discussed about the steps taken and the difficulties faced in health sector and essential commodities in the districts,” said the Chief Secretary of Assam, Kumar Sanjay Krishna.

“We have instructed all the district authorities to take steps to address the issues so that people do not face any problem, he added.

“Government of India has already exempted many services but we must see that the social distancing norms are strictly followed,” he also said.

“We appeal people not to come out until unless very urgent till the situation improves. There is no plan of any type of colour coding in the State as of now,” the chief secretary said.

Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta speaking after the high level review meeting said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the preparedness in the eventuality of exemption of certain services after the lock down is extended beyond Tuesday.

He said it is most likely that some more services are exempted and people having emergency may be allowed considering various aspects.

But we have to see that no one violates the lockdown taking illegal benefit of the exemption.

“All such matters have been discussed and necessary steps are being taken to enforce the lockdown strictly,” the DGP said.

However, the official announcement on lockdown extension is still awaited.

Avik Chakraborty is Northeast Now Correspondent in Dibrugarh. He can be reached at: [email protected]