The Assam government on Friday decided to advance night curfew timings by one and half hours across the state with effect from Saturday in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases and detection of Omicron variant in the state.
According to the new SOP issued by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the night curfew will be effective from 10 pm to 6 am across the.
Earlier on December 26, the Assam government had announced the night curfew from 11.30 PM to 10 PM.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that from January 8, the night curfew will be effective from 10 PM to 6 AM.
“We fear that the third wave of Covid-19 is here and it’s assessed that it will reach a peak in Assam towards the end of this month. That’s why the state government has brought in a number of restrictions to counter the situation,” Chief Minister Sarma said.
Wedding, public gatherings have been reduced to 50 % from Saturday.
“All schools up to class 5 will be closed down in the entire Assam up to January 30. In Guwahati, schools will be closed up to Class 8,” Sarma said.
Offline teaching-learning activities for Classes 9, 10, and 11 will continue on a rotational basis and students will attend classes for three days a week.
For Class 12, offline education will continue as usual since they have board exams, Sharma added.
He further said that school hours will be as usual and the Education Department will release a notification fixing school timings for Classes 9, 10 and 11.
Offices, commercial establishments and businesses have been asked not to remain open beyond 9 pm.
Restaurants and eateries have been asked to close at 9 pm. Takeaway orders will be allowed till 10 pm.
Auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis have been allowed to operate with 100 per cent seating capacity and observance of Covid appropriate behavior by passengers who are fully vaccinated.
Intra-district transport is allowed with fully vaccinated staff and passengers, but a heavy fine will be imposed on drivers who allow standing passengers, the order said.
As per the new order, only fully-vaccinated people will be allowed to enter hotels, restaurants, government offices, shopping malls and multiplexes.