The Assam government on Friday issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and relaxed the night curfew timings.
According to the new SOP, announced by Assam health minister Keshab Mahanta in a press conference at Majuli on Friday, said now the night curfew will be effective from 10 pm to 5 am the next day.
Earlier, the night curfew was in force from 9 pm-5 am.
The state government also allowed the re-opening of cinema halls with 50% seating capacity.
Workplaces, business-commercial establishments (hotel-restaurant-dhaba, commercial setups, sales centres, showrooms, garment shops, fruit & grocery stores, etc.) can be kept open till 9 pm. Earlier, the deadline was 8 pm.
The state health minister announced that a maximum of 50 people, who are fully vaccinated, can participate in meetings, social-public events organized in the open space.
“Of course, a maximum of 200 people can attend the wedding receptions held at the wedding halls with the permission of the respective district commissioner,” the health minister said.
However, it is compulsory for all the participants to take two doses of Covid19 vaccine.
The government has allowed only 60 people to visit the famous religious places of the state (Kamakhya Temple, Shiva Doul of Sivasagar, Ajanpir Dargah, Powa Mecca of Hajo, etc.) per hour.
Permission has been given for up to 40 people per hour to visit other places of worship.
The places of worship will be kept open for only those people who have taken two doses of Covid19 vaccine.
“Cinema halls are allowed to open with 50% seat capacity for the audience who have taken two doses of Covid19 vaccine. The Covid protocol must be followed,” health minister Mahanta said.
“In the case of mobile theatres, the chief minister is holding discussions with all parties involved in mobile theatres. The chief minister will take a decision on this matter soon,” the health minister said.
In permanent auditoriums, plays may be staged with 50% of the audience following Covid protocol. Artistes, artisans and spectators must have taken two doses of Covid19 vaccine, the health minister said.
The state government has allowed all fully vaccinated students, teachers and staff members of all educational institutions.
The education department has already issued separate SOPs and will re-introduce additional rules and regulations to the educational institutions as and when required, the minister said.
The SOP, issued by the state government, will come into effect from today (Friday) due to the improvement in the Covid19 situation in the state, health minister Mahanta said.