Assam government has declared a statewide lockdown in Assam from 6 pm on Tuesday till March 31 as a measure to counter the growing threat of coronavirus outbreak.
The lockdown will continue till 12 am in the midnight of March 31.
Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced this in a press conference in Guwahati on Monday.
“Extraordinary times need extraordinary measures. Assam will be under lockdown from tomorrow 6 pm until 12 am on March 31,” Sarma said.
Minister Sarma said that certain exceptions have been made to ensure essential items are available for purchase and basic services continue to operate.
Grocery shops, chemists and petrol pumps will remain open and persons associated with essential services like electricity, water supply, fire brigade and medical services will be allowed to go to their destinations during the lockdown.
He further said that no public transport will operate during this period.
Transport department has already issued an order to prohibit all inter-state passenger vehicles (i.e. contract carriages, stage carriages, taxi cabs, maxi cabs) to and from Assam, to other States and Union Territories up to March 31, 2020.
Sarma said strict action will be taken against those who violate the lockdown order.