Revised SOP in Assam

A new set of SOP has been issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on July 6. According to the SOP, districts or sub divisions showing improvement in case load will have curfew time from 5 PM to 5 AM while shops and workplaces will open till 4 PM. The Kamrup Metro district falls in this category. All inter-district passenger transport services and movement of people to and from other districts shall remain suspended.

It has been observed that few districts like Dhubri, Kamrup Metro, South Salmara, Majuli, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Udalguri, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Charaideo and Hailakandi have shown improvement in the positivity rate. 

The districts which are displaying a moderate positivity rate are Sivsagar, Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Nalbari, Baksa, Bajali, Hojai, Darang, Kamrup (Rural), Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Karimganja and Karbi Anglong. Curfew timings in these places are from 2 PM to 5 AM. The offices, commercial establishments and business houses should close by 1 PM. Shops dealing with groceries, fruits, vegetables, animal fodder will remain open till 1 PM. Any kind of food joint will remain open till 1 PM.

The districts where conditions are improving have almost the same relaxation as earlier. Offices, shops, restaurants will stay open till 4 PM and the curfew timing is from 5 PM to 5 AM. Marriages and funerals can take place as a private affair with the presence of only 10 people. Hotels and resorts will remain open till 4 PM. Pharmacies, hospitals and vet clinics shall remain open for 24 hours. Despite an improvement in the overall condition, there is still a strict ban on holding open or closed meetings or gatherings.

The government employees who have taken the first dose of the vaccine can attend offices in the relaxed areas. The employees who are a part of essential services should attend their work without any fail. Pregnant women of women having children below the age of 5 can avail the facility to work from home. People with disabilities, who are working in government offices can avail the facility to work from home.

There is a total ban on the movement of all public and private transportation in the total containment districts. However, the movement of goods can continue. 

In the districts availing relaxations, all public transport authorities shall enforce Covid appropriate behaviour and seating inside the vehicles, carrier, containers etc. Auto rickshaw, cycle rickshaw and taxis can carry 2 people except for the rider while maintaining a distance. The inter-district passenger transport services to and from other districts shall remain suspended. It is mandatory for people travelling by private vehicles to wear face masks.

All educational institutes are advised to carry on with their online/virtual classes and it is not necessary for teachers and faculty members to attend institutes but they have to come forward if the District Administration engages in Covid 19 duty or flood relief related emergency duty.