On April 25, 26 & 27, Assam to Allow "Conditional" Inter-District Travel for Citizens Stranded amid Lockdown

Guwahati, April 22, 2020:

Assam Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced earlier today that on April 25, 26, and 27, the Government will allow the inter-district travel for certain categories of people who are stranded amid the nationwide lockdown that will finally be lifted on May 3.

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However, Sarma said that the "inter-state travel" with be subject to certain conditions and will require the permissions of the Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts. Sarma said that the travel will have to be either "home bound" or "office-bound" for the stranded people.

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A detailed guideline has been prepared by the administration in this regard laying down the rules and regulations.

The Minister also said that the patients will also be allowed to move to different districts after taking "prior permission" from the DC. The permissions will continue beyond April 25, 26 and 27, Sarma said. "For that, they will have to ask permission from the local DC, Sarma said, that they will not only be homebound. However, Sarma said that strict action will be taken against people if the patient is not seen by the local police personnel.

Sarma also said that people with their own personal vehicles who are stranded in different districts will be given one-time passes to travel back to their respective districts. However, they will also have to take prior permission of the DCs. "They will get an e-pass. It will be valid for a day. The number of vehicles will be divided and there will be rationing", Sarma said.

In regards to migrant workers, Sarma said that their employers will have to ensure that permission is taken before moving them to their places of work in vehicles. No more than 25 workers will be allowed per vehicle, Sarma said.

In regards to students, he said that they have to dial the 104 helpline. The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) will contact them and will ask them to reach an affixed destination where they will be picked up and ferried to their respective destinations.

Sarma also said that the movement in the "red-zone" areas will be decided by the DCs after "examining each and every application very closely." If the need for travel are found to be "genuine", Sarma said, the travel will be allowed.

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