Assam imposed a curfew from 6pm to 6am while providing a slew of relaxations to green-zone districts as the nation slips into lockdown 3.0 from Monday.

The curfew was imposed owing to the coronavirus outbreak in the country. Of 33 districts of the state, 29 were marked as green districts except Dhubri, Morigaon, Goalpara and Bongaigaon.

During the curfew, only pharmacies and hospitals will be allowed to run. Even the grocery shops will remain closed after 6pm. The state government has also warned of strict police action against violators. However, other essential service providers were allowed to operate.

Dispur has announced a number of relaxations during the day to kickstart the state’s economic activity in the green-zone districts.

Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “From Monday, all government and private offices are allowed to open with 50 per cent work force. However, women government employees with children below 5 years age are exempted from coming to the office.”

So far, government offices were functioning with around 33 per cent workforce while private offices were closed.

For business establishments, all standalone shops were allowed to operate till 5pm. In areas where there are adjacent shops, it was asked to ensure that there are at least two closed shops in between two open shops except for pharmacies, groceries and book shops.

“The deputy commissioners shall, in consultation with market associations, identify the shops and allow them to operate only after this is finalised,” he said, adding that all business activities must shut down by 5pm.

Solidarity was also shown in the form of three Sukhoi-30 jets flying over the Assembly as the Air Force Band played tunes. All doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and other frontline workers witnessed the display and thanked the forces for the encouragement. PTI

Shopping malls, multiplex, gyms, bars, and swimming pools will remain closed, as well as barber shops, saloons and parlours. In rural areas, weekly haats and bazars will also remain closed.

Though auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, taxis and app-based cabs were allowed to operate, with one driver and two passengers maintaining social distancing.

Private four-wheelers were also allowed with driver and two others. Pillion riding was also not allowed unless either with one female or one child up to the age of 12 years.

The minister added that from Monday, all constructions in urban areas would be allowed with a maximum of 50 per cent workforce.

City buses, intra-district and inter-district buses were also allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity under the authority of Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC).

“A bus can travel through a red or orange zone using the state or national highways but not allowed to make a halt on the way,” he added.

The state has also allowed all tea shops, restaurants, ice-cream parlours, cooked food outlets to start their business but only with take away or home delivery facilities. No one can sit and eat there. Online food delivery services were also allowed as well as e-commerce services.

Sarma said, “While enjoying all these relaxations, the people of the state must remember that it’s mandatory to wear masks at all time for everyone out of home. Similarly, no person above the age of 65 and below 12 are allowed to come out of their homes unless on medical emergency.”

Assam also banned incoming of livestock carrying trucks into the state in view of the outbreak of disease in pigs in the state.