Assam Announces Lockdown till March 31 to Deal with COVID-19 amid Rumours

Dispur, March 23, 2020:

Confirming the state's greatest fears, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the State will go into complete lockdown mode to deal with the imminent threat posed by the threat of the coronavirus of COVID-19.

Addressing the media earlier today, the Assam Health Minister said that from the lockdown will be imposed tomorrow at 6 pm till March 31 midnight Assam.

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"During the lockdown, grocery, pharmacies and petrol pumps will be open. Except these, all shops and services, educational institutions be it private or public will remain closed. Public cannot come out of their residences. Violation of this law, 6 months punishment in the intial phase", the Minister added.

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The Health Minister has also confirmed that no COVID-19 positive cases or samples have been detected in Assam as of yet. He further informed that out of 169 total tests that have been conducted till 4 pm today, all have returned NEGATIVE results. However, out of 169 21 awaited.

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Informing the media about the State Government's decision to go on a complete lockdown mode, he said, "COVID-19 patients have been increasing across the world. Even in India. The government is compelled to take strict actions", adding that "only the strictest actions will save Assam from infection."'

Taking note of the Centre’s note to shut down the States amid the ongoing crisis situation that is taking shape out to the outbreak of the COVID-19, Manipur has called for a complete lockdown till March 31. Additionally, Sikkim has also called for a lockdown from March 25, till further notice.

Meanwhile, the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, taking precautionary measures against the outbreak of the coronavirus, has imposed complete safety restrictions, which will come into effect at 5 pm later today.

Via an order dated March 22, the Health and Family Welfare Department has listed a set of directives to be followed by the people till March 31

Firstly, all public transport services have been banned, except transport to and from hospitals and other essential places.

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