More people came out of their homes on Tuesday after the Assam government decided to allow standalone shops in rural areas to start functioning, except haats and daily markets, and extended inter-district travel till May 2.

Though the “slight” relaxation of lockdown norms was meant for rural areas in non-hotspot districts, many allegedly took advantage of the situation to come out. The state government has already announced it would take a call on easing of lockdown in urban areas on May 3.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “People must understand that we are not free from coronavirus yet. That’s why we need to take every step very cautiously. I once again urge all the people that social distancing is the key in this fight against the virus and we must maintain it to defeat this outbreak.”

Sources attributed the increase in people coming out of their homes to the extension of inter-district travel period. Many who could not register themselves for the facility came out to enrol their names. The state government has not only provided buses to the stranded people to reach their destinations, but also allowed private vehicle owners to travel with permission from respective district administrations. A long queue of applicants was seen outside the Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner’s office here since morning.

Dispur has warned people not to travel without permission. Chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna, said, “No inter-district movement of people will be allowed without authorisation from deputy commissioners. In case somebody is found travelling without approval, they will be apprehended and kept in quarantine.” The health department had allowed inter-district travel of the stranded people as part of its strategy to prepare for the incoming lakhs of people who are stranded outside the state.

Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Once the lockdown is eased and inter-state travel allowed, we want to concentrate on those coming from outside. Therefore, we want the people stranded within the state to reach their homes before May 2.”

Police have beefed up surveillance to stop any illegal inter-district movement of people and from outside the state. “Besides the highways, there is strict vigilance on the inter-district borders,” said a senior police officer.

Nearly 3,344 people have been arrested, 20,500 vehicles seized and Rs 1.39 crore collected in fines from lockdown violators till Tuesday evening.