GUWAHATI: The nationwide coronavirus lockdown is set to be extended at least till April 30 after a broad "consensus" on it emerged on Saturday, April 11 during a meeting of chief ministers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stressed on "Jaan Bhi, Jahaan Bhi", indicating that restrictions may be tweaked as it was important to save livelihoods along with lives.
Talking about Assam, the Chief Minister chaired two important meetings on Sunday, April 12 – an all party meeting and a cabinet meeting. There were various issues discussed in these meetings by all the political party leaders and the cabinet ministers.
The chief minister’s office did send a press release narrating what all happened in the party meeting but the cabinet meeting was a closed door affair and various lockdown related issues were discussed which have not yet been made public.
A highly placed source in Dispur talking to G Plus revealed that in the cabinet meeting various issues were discussed and recommendations which the government received from various sections like Centre, state government departments, non-government organisations, other state governments but no announcements have yet been made by the government.
The state government will strictly follow the Centre’s decision on the lockdown extension plan which is likely to extend till 30th April. The source however expressed that certain recommendations are likely to be implemented by the Assam government.
So, according to the recommendations, following is a list of what are likely to work and what will not work post April 14 when the day 21-day lockdown ends in the country.
The recommended guidelines from Centre and other stakeholders have various points. G Plus extracts the most important ones:
• Strict social distancing policy recommended to be enforced till June 30
• No gathering of more than 5 persons in public places
• Police vigil recommended in public areas till June 30 and people’s movement should be scrutinized; till April 30 movement should be restricted as of now
• All gyms, bars, hotels, shopping malls, religious institutions, all places of entertainment, movie theatres, social functions like marriages are recommended to remain closed till April 30 or further orders
• Marriages and such other religious/social functions post April 30 is recommended to be restricted to 20 participants only for 3 months
• Interstate borders are advised to be completely closed till April 30. Eventually it is advised to be open based on mutual consent of neighboring states
• Chewing gum, tobacco and paan should be banned for preventing spitting
• Senior citizens should be protected and advised to stay at home till June 30
• Wearing of masks should be mandated in public places
• Grocery shops should remain open to prevent hoarding and for essential commodities availability
• Locally grown vegetables and fruits are advised to be sold at doorsteps till April 30
• Couriers supplying food and goods of all types should be given ID cards and are advised to be allowed to provide service
• Lockdown is recommended to continue for all educational institutes and tutorials till June 30, however they should be encouraged to offer online classes for students
• Government offices are recommended to function with 50% staff till April 30 and should be reviewed thereafter
• Construction industry should be encouraged to resume activities post lockdown
• Other industries also should resume activities post lockdown with 50% staff maintaining guidelines of health department and maintaining proper hygiene
• Post lockdown (April 30) public transport is recommended to be allowed for restricted time maintaining social distancing
• No private vehicle should be allowed to ply till April 30 thereafter the situation could be reviewed
• Agricultural activities need to be nurtured in view of sowing and harvesting season being around the corner but strict compliance to protocols laid down by health department to be ensured
• Liquor shops are advised to start functioning in a restricted way following health department protocols
The source revealed that these points were thoroughly discussed and the decision on all these will be announced soon in consultation with the central government.