GUWAHATI: The Assam government has put restrictions on the celebration of Christmas and New Year owing to the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak.
During the period from December 25 to January 10, the following restrictions shall be in place –
1. No gathering in excess of 50 persons shall be organized during the period of this order.
2. In any given enclosed space, whether private or public, the total number of attendees shall in any case not exceed 50% of the capacity of such space.
3. In case of outdoor events, the gathering shall be restricted to ensure physical distancing being maintained at all times.
4. Any or all religious festivities are encouraged to be conducted, preferably inside homes.
5. Where religious functions are required to be observed in places of public gathering, adequate social distancing and all other protocols of Covid management are to be followed strictly.
In an order dated December 24, the chief secretary of Assam Jishnu Barua stated, “It is generally noticed that around the year end there are events organized in which large gatherings take place and certain festivities are also organized leading to excessive crowding of enclosed spaces. Whereas, such large gatherings in enclosed spaces without proper social distancing and maintenance of other COVID-19 protocols runs the risk of spread of Coronavirus and also may give rise to serious difficulties in contact tracing, thereby adversely affecting containment of the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, I Shri Jishnu Barua, IAS in partial modification of our U.0 No.ASDMA.24/2020/Part-1/125, dated 27.11.2020 along with MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 25th November,2020 do hereby order that the following shall remain in force till 10th January,2020 w.e.f the date of issue of the order.”
He further urged organizers to ensure universal usage of masks, hand sanitization and mandatory test of staff for COVID-19.
The District Magistrates, Superintendent of Police (Commissioner of Police in case of Kamrup-M) of all districts shall ensure strict compliance of these orders.
