GUWAHATI: The closing time for restaurants across Assam during Durga Puja has been extended till 10:30 PM. This was stated by Samir K. Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Health and Family Welfare department through a notification dated October 22.
"In partial modification of COVID-19 guidelines for organising Durga Puja 2020 issued vide Health and Family Welfare Departments notification.... the closing time for restaurants during Durga Puja 2020 will be 10:30 PM," states the order.
Earlier, the Assam government had issued a set of guidelines for Durga Puja festivities. In its order, the government had asked all restaurants to close down by 9 PM during the three days of Puja.
According to the guidelines issued on October 12, only takeaway food should be allowed, subject to relevant permissions from the Government.
The latest order too states that "other contents of the notification remains the same."
While confusion pevails about whether restaurants will only be allowed to open for takeaway or if dine-in would be allowed, speaking to G Plus, Biswajit Pegu (Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup M) said that restaurants in Guwahati would be allowed to open for dine-in.