Curfew from 6 pm to 6 am will be in force in Assam during third phase of lockdown: Himanta
The curfew will be strictly enforced with no movementallowed from 6 pm to 6 am and the police will take strictaction against those violating it, the minister said at apress conference here
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting withChief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and "we have taken certainconservative measures as allowed by the Union Home Ministryguidelines, to contain the spread of COVID-19", Sarma said.
All people, except those working in pharmacies,medical services, fire services, ambulances, media andgovernment employees engaged in essential services, mustreturn to their homes by 6 pm, he said.
Private medical clinics, doctor chambers, veterinaryclinics, dental clinics, laboratories will open from Mondaybut they will close at 5 pm.
Stand-alone shops in both urban and rural areas willopen from Monday while shops in rows, one-third shops willopen which will be decided by the respective MarketAssociations in consultation with the Deputy Commissioners, hesaid.
Pharmacies, grocery shops and book stalls, however, willnot come within the one-third consideration and all willremain open.
Market places and shopping malls, weekly markets, fishand markets will also remain closed.
"All those allowed to reopen will, however, close by 5pm so that people working there can reach their homes beforecurfew begins at 6 pm", the minister said.
City buses, intra-district and inter-district buses shalloperate with 50 per cent capacity. Private buses can alsooperate with 50 per cent capacity but with the authority orpermission of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), hesaid.
There will be no movement of buses in the Red andOrange zones but those crossing these districts can passthrough the national or state highways without stopping, Sarmasaid.
Waterways will remain closed but the DeputyCommissioners can discuss this with the ferry owners onwhether it can be started by maintaining social distancing, hesaid.
Autorickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis are allowedwith one driver and two passengers maintaining socialdistancing and private four wheelers are allowed with driverand two others.
For two wheelers, pillion riding is allowed either withone female or one child up to the age of 12 years.
Livestock carrying trucks will not be allowed to enterthe state but if any vehicle headed for any state outsideAssam with livestock may be allowed to move to theirdestination without stopping in the state, he said.
All government and private offices shall operate with 50per cent employees but women employees with children below theage of five will not attend office till May 17 when this willbe reviewed again, he said.
All construction work will be allowed in urban areaswith a maximum of 50 per cent work force.
All tea shops, restaurants, ice-cream parlours andcooked food outlets can operate on takeaway or home deliverybasis only, he said.
Barber shops, saloons and parlours will remain closedbut their home visits are allowed after following hygiene andsanitisation norms.
Gyms, cinemas, multiplexes, bars and swimming poolswill remain closed.
Movement of persons above the age of 65 and childrenbelow the age ten years shall be restricted in public spacesexcept for medical purposes, he said.
Wearing of masks is mandatory at all places whilemaintaining social distancing and arrangement for thermalscanning and hand sanitization shall be the responsibility ofthe heads of both public and private organisations, theMinister asserted.
All other provisions applicable during the third phaseof the lockdown in the state will be as per the guidelines ofthe Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Sarma added DGRG RG