Guwahati, April 20: In view of the new Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government of Assam on Tuesday all business establishments including shops, markets, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, etc except the medical emergency and pharmacies were shut down at 6 pm in Assam.

A mad rush has been seen in the markets in Guwahati before 6 pm.

Assam chief secretary Jishnu Barua and DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta announced the new Covid-19 guidelines through a press conference in Guwahati on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, 1651 Covid-19 positive cases were detected in Assam. Covid cases are raising in an alarming rate in Assam.

Meanwhile, the government has issued SOPs and tightened the testing in airports, railway station.

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown in last year, the business establishment and small shops faced financial hardship and many small shops were totally shut down owing to financial losses.

“Last year due to Covid-19 lockdown we have suffered and our financial condition becomes worst. We are slowly recovering from the financial losses this year again the government have issued guidelines to shut down shops at 6 pm due to a sudden spike of Covid-19 cases. During election, the political leaders were seen campaigning without masks. It is a double standard behavior by the government” said a Suman Agarwalla, businessman of Dibrugarh.

A similar, rush has been seen in the Dibrugarh market before 6 pm. The business establishment and shops shut down their shutters at 6 pm.

Dibrugarh district administration has initiated a task force under circle officer. Many peoples in Dibrugarh were seen roaming without masks.

“As per guidelines we are shutting down the shops for those who have opened it till 6 pm. Everybody should strictly follow the SOP issued by the Assam government,” said Dibrugarh SP Preetak Kumar Thube.

On Tuesday, 3129 Covid-19 tests were conducted in Dibrugarh, and out of that 58 Covid-19 positive cases were detected.

“The other guidelines as mentioned in the SoP will also be strictly followed in the district with immediate effect,” said Pallav Gopal Jha, Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh.

Considering the prevailing Covid-19 situation in Dibrugarh district and in view of government guidelines the “Kendriya Rongali Utsav, 2021″organised by AASU, Dibrugarh has been cancelled on Tuesday.

The 3-day Bihu functions scheduled to be held on 20th, 21st & 22nd April at the “Bohagi Khetra”, Chowkidinghee field, Dibrugarh have been cancelled after the first day’s program today.

As announced by the organising committee, all the cultural programs of the remaining two days including Zubin Garg night have been cancelled.