Coronavirus: Schools, Colleges, & Universities to be Closed Down till March 29, Orders Assam Govt

Guwahati, March 15, 2020:

Amid skyrocketing number of coronavirus cases in India and across the world, the Assam Government has decided to close down schools, colleges, and universities till March 29. Moreover, apart from board exams to be conducted by the CBSE and other organizations, all examinations have to be scrapped, the Government has said.

ALSO READ: Assam: No Morning Assembly or Excursion in Assam amid Coronavirus Crisis, Says Govt

This announcement was made by Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna while briefing the media about the state's preparedness against the pandemic. The Government has also formed a core committee to take up the issue and ensure a prevention of the virus and Anurag Goel has been placed at the helm. He further informed that several isolation wards have been prepared by the Government to tackle the disease in case it rears its head in Assam. Krishna also informed that the DCs of each district has been instructed to dissuade public gatherings and close contact among the public.

https://www.facebook.com/ne.inside/videos/549985675722331/

The Government has also issued a directive that says gyms, swimming pools, malls and cinematheques have to be closed down amid fears over the coronavirus.

The Chief Secretary in the meeting that was held in Khanapara also called upon the media personnel to help create awareness about the disease. "Please create an atmosphere to provide the people with information on what they should do...", he said.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 in Northeast: Govt Seals most International Borders amid Mounting Death Toll

This announcement has been made a day after the Government had banned morning assemblies and excursions. A notice that was issued by the Government on Saturday, said that “There shall not be any form of ‘Morning Assembly” in schools/ colleges/higher educational institutions etc. No exhibitions etc. shall be organised in the schools/ colleges/higher educational institutions etc.” stated a notification.

It added, “No excursions or exposer visits shall be undertaken by the schools/ colleges/higher educational institutions etc. Awareness, sensitization of students and enforcement of preventive interventions amongst the students by the Teachers such as frequent hand wash that should start with the commencement of classes, respiratory etiquettes and avoid gatherings etc.”

Meanwhile, the Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has decided not to attend any public meeting till March 31, 2020 as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus situation.

The Chief Minister has also appealed the people of the State not to panic and urged them to maintain personal hygiene to keep themselves safe from this virus. The Chief Minister has also also appealed the conscious citizens of various societies to come forward and take steps for public awareness.

The Assam CM also took to Twitter to alert the people in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. “Do not pay attention to rumours. In case of any doubt or query, please call the Helpline number for 

 

data-focusable="true">#Assam – 6913347770″, he wrote, urging people to call the helpline number that has been initiated across the country to combat the COVID-19 spread.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.