Coronavirus: Assam Govt Prohibits Mass Gatherings Including Public Reading of 'Namaaz'

Guwahati, March 17, 2020:

The Assam Government, in a bid to shield itself from the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, has prohibited mass gatherings of all types in the State with effect from March 17.

The State Government's prohibitory mass gathering applies to birthday parties, religious functions and any other get-together. As per the prohibitory order, assembling at Mosques for Namaaz has also been restricted.

Keeping in view of the threat posed by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the Assam Government on Monday also earmarked Government school teachers to carry out awareness campaigns to better educate the people.

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Announcing this at a press conference in the State’s capital, Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that teachers will go to the schools despite their closure till March 31, and they will spread awareness about the pandemic coronavirus in the neighboring areas. “They will come to the school and then they will visit the neighboring areas so that awareness camps can be organized.” They will inform the people about directives proposed by the Government — such as avoiding handshakes and mass gatherings.

Moreover, despite the closure of schools, the students will be provided with mid-day meals, the Government has decided. Thus, the hard-to-do students who depend on the meals for afternoon sustenance, will not be deprived, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, announcing that there has been a rising number of cases in India, stated that the state’s Government is taking steps to contain an outbreak of the virus. He further informed that not a single case has been detected in Assam.

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The Minister also said that now, in the midst of the outbreak and surging number of cases across the world, all tourists — both domestic and foreign — are being screened at the airport. Train passengers are also being screened for any traces of the virus, he said.

To prevent an outbreak, the Government has also advised to stay away from “non-essential” social gatherings such as birthday parties and marriages. “If the coronavirus enters Assam, the containment will not be easy, as we have many unreachable area; places where the administration cannot reach”, Biswa Sarma stated.

The Minister further appealed the students and professionals who have returned home after the outbreak to get tested in case any symptoms show up. “Some people run away from thermal checking; that is not the way”, the Minister chided.

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