The Assam government on March 15th, 2020 ordered the closure of all the schools, colleges, universities, cinema halls, swimming pools and gyms till March 29th, 2020 amid coronavirus (COVID-19) scare.
Addressing a press meet in Guwahati on March 15th, 2020, Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said the government will take a call “soon” on closing the shopping malls.
However, the examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education to take place as per schedule. The cinema halls will remain closed from March 16th, 2020.
“The shopping malls were not being shut for now. We will take a call after reviewing the situation. The situation is under control in the state. No positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Assam till date. Assam has strengthened the surveillance and control measures against the disease,” Krishna said.
It may be mentioned, as a precautionary measure to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, the Assam Government has asked educational institutions not to organise morning Assembly.
Till date, 1,075 passengers were screened at the airports in Assam – 337 at the LGBI Airport in Guwahati, 316 at the Mohanbari Airport in Dibrugarh, 318 at the Rowriah Airport in Jorhat, 13 at the Kumbhirgram Airport in Silchar, 25 at the Lilabari Airport in Lakhimpur and 62 in Salonibari Airport in Tezpur.
A total of 253 travellers from coronavirus affected countries have been identified and out of them, 123 passengers have completed the 28-day observation period.
“The remaining 130 are under home isolation. Separate isolation wards and quarantine facilities have been earmarked in all the districts of the state. 850 beds for isolation have been set up in the district hospitals,” he said.
A total of 57 beds in isolation ward with ICU/ventilator facility are kept ready at the six Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals for confirmed COVID-19 cases. “Two bedded isolation wards are established in all the district civil hospitals,” he added.
Krishna further informed that 10,605 persons have been surveyed in the state and 599 persons who came in contact with the US national who tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhutan were identified and kept under home surveillance.
“Rapid Response Teams have been constituted in all the districts to deal with the situation. Though there are no positive coronavirus cases in Assam, the border districts of Baksa, Chirang, Kokrajhar and Udalguri are on COVID-19 surveillance,” Krishna added.
Any person suspected to be infected with the COVID-19 can contact State Control Room 6913347770/1/2/3 and 104 Sarathi Helpline number for assistance.
M Angamuthu, Commissioner & Secretary of Tourism department, appealed to the people to not panic.
“Foreign tourists are being screened in Assam. Hence, they should not be harassed,” Angamuthu said.
Several foreigners in Assam said they are facing problems as a fear psychosis gripped the local people amid the spread of coronavirus.
Tourists from Greece and Spain faced a difficult time in Majuli and Cachar after they were refused local transport and hotel rooms for fear of contracting Covid-19.
It may be mentioned, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal decided not to take part in any public programme till March 31st, 2020. He also urged upon people to strictly follow the advisory issued by the Health Department.
Photo: @smitaranideka
