Guwahati, Jan 7: The Assam government has announced re-imposition of COVID-19 containment measures in view of the increasing cases of COVID-19 and detection of Omicron cases in the region. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the new set of SOPs for COVID-19 on Friday, which will come into effect from Saturday (January 8) and will remain in force until further orders.
In view of increasing #COVID19 cases, GoA has issued an SOP containing guidelines for containment of the pandemic:
▶️ Curfew will be imposed from 10 PM to 6 AM everyday. Business/commercial establishment will not function post 9 PM.
Please co-operate 🙏 pic.twitter.com/OO0I98jDFK
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 7, 2022
▶️Non-vaccinated people shall not be allowed entry in public spaces/places (except hospitals) w.e.f. Jan 15, 2022. People must carry a proof of being fully vaccinated.
▶️Industrial units & tea gardens may function subject to observance of #COVID19 appropriate behaviour. pic.twitter.com/I5sWvrRSde
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 7, 2022
SOPs and containment measures
Entry into state
– Testing will be increased.
– Those vaccinated only single dose, non-vaccinated, 15+ age category will be compulsorily tested at Airport, Railway station on arrival. No compulsory testing for double dose vaccinated.
– Home testing kit will be available now.
– Only fully vaccinated will be allowed in to Hotel, Restaurant, Cinema hall, Mall, government offices, except hospital.
– If anyone is allowed to enter, the owner of the business premises will be fined Rs. 25,000.
Office and Shop timings
– Night curfew in the state will be imposed from 10 pm to 6 am.
– Opening of work place and business establishments shall remain open till 9 PM.
– Functioning of Private and public offices shall operate up to 9 PM.
– Shops dealing with groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, animal fodder will remain open till 9 PM.
– Dine in restaurants, dhabas and other eateries will operate with 50% seating capacity and open upto 9 PM.
– Takeaway of food items from restaurants, dhabas and other eateries up to 10 PM.
– Opening of Sale counters, showrooms etc. of cold storages and warehouses up to 9 PM.
Office attendance and vaccination
– All Government servants, including contractual and fixed pay, should be fully vaccinated and shall attend office. Employees who are not fully vaccinated will not be allowed to attend office and they will have to avail leave, if available or extra ordinary leave for which they will not be paid salary.
– However, all other employees except those in whose case vaccination is contra-indicated as per guidelines issued by the Health Department of Government of Assam and /or such claim is certified by a registered medical practitioner, will have to get themselves vaccinated and attend office.
– Employees engaged in emergency/ essential services shall attend their duty without any restrictions at any place.
Public Transport
– All Public transport authorities shall enforce COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and seating inside the vehicles, carriers, containers, etc.
– Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate for passengers with 100% seating capacity and observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour for passengers.
– Pillion riding on motorcycles may be allowed for the fully vaccinated with proper use of mask.
Gatherings at open and closed venues
– In case of open spaces, jurisdictional DDMAs shall fix the limit of gatherings depending on Covid situation in their respective districts.
– In closed venues, gathering is allowed upto 50% of the seating capacity of hall, auditorium etc. limited to a maximum of 200.
– In marriages and religious functions, 200 single vaccinated persons will be allowed.
– 100 persons will be allowed in funerals
– 50% of seating capacity of fully vaccinated viewers and observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour will be allowed in cinema halls/theatres
Educational institutions
– All Educational Institutions including Schools/Colleges/Universities shall continue to provide quality virtual options in Assam
– All schools upto Class VIII in Kamrup-Metropolitan district and upto Class V in all other districts shall remain closed.
– No physical classes are allowed
– All schools up to Class V shall remain closed from January 8 till January 30, 2022
– For Class 9-11, classes will be held three days a week on rotation basis. Full classes for Class 12 students.
