Spicejet to Suspend all Flights to Dibrugarh from March 24

Goa, March 20, 2020:'

Amid the nationwide panic brought on by the spread of the pandemic coronavirus (or COVID-19), India-based carriers Spicejet will cancel all flights to Dibrugarh in Assam from March 24. Spicejet has taken this step as a measure to contain the outbreak of the deadly pandemic, which has put the entire world community on edge.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: Section 144 Imposed in East Sikkim District till April 15

Thus, once it comes into effect, there will be no direct flight between Guwahati and Dibrugarh, which are two of the biggest commercial hubs in the region. At the same time, the Assam Government has urged the people to close down several places -- such as liquor shops, barber shops, gymnasiums, swimming pools, etc; educational institutions have also been closed down. People have also been advised not to take part in mass gatherings -- such as weddings, birthday parties, etc.

Yesterday, the administration of East Sikkim district has promulgated prohibitory orders in the entire district as a preventive measure against the deadly virus. In the order that was issued earlier today by the District Magistrate, Raj Yadav, it has been directed that an assembly of five or more persons shall be prohibited in the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) area and Bazaar areas of Ranipool, Singtam, Rangpo, Pakyong, Rhenock and Rongli. However, marriages and social gatherings shall be exempted.

The flights will be stopped a mere two days after the Government called for "janata curfew", which is seen as a demo to test India's preparedness to deal with the threat posed by the virus. The decision to call for a janata curfew was announced by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, yesterday. Modi urged all the people not connected to essential services to stay within their homes from 7 AM to 9 PM on Sunday next. “This will prepare us for the challenges ahead”, Modi said.

The PM further urged the people to spread the information about the public curfew, which he has termed as a “test” for the nation, to check how prepared we are to deal with the contagion. The PM also advised against “panic buying” and told people not to hoard items, adding that milk, edibles, medicines will be available.

“Since there is no medicine for this virus, so it is of utmost impost importance to stay safe. The second is patience”, Modi said, and added that social distancing is the need of the hour.  Determination and patience, Modi said, will play a key role in stalling the spread of the virus. By walking around in the open, Modi said, one will imperil oneself as well as loved ones.

ALSO READ: Suspected JMB Cadre from Bangladesh Nabbed in Tripura

Meanwhile, deaths related to coronavirus have crossed the 10,000 mark. At the time of filing of this report, as many as 10,048 people have died due to the outbreak of the disease. The virus has affected at least 245,885 people across the world, and 7,378 people are said to be in a "serious" or "critical" state.

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.