New Delhi (NVI): The Assam government today decided to impose a total lockdown in Guwahati for 14 days from the midnight of June 28 in view of the rising coronavirus cases.
In addition to this, the state government has also decided to impose night curfew and twice-a-week lockdown in all urban and semi-urban places across the state with immediate effect.
State’s Health Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma today said while addressing a virtual press briefing that, “The COVID-19 cases in Guwahati have been increasing exponentially. Since June 15, we have recorded 676 cases of community transmission. We have thus decided to impose total lockdown in the city from June 28 midnight till July 12.”
“For the first seven days, only pharmacies and hospitals will be open. Everything else will be shut. Grocery shops and vegetable markets would remain closed too,” Sarma added.
He further added, “The administration and police have been told to ensure a strict lockdown. We will assess the situation next Friday and take a call on relaxations, if needed.”
The movement of vehicles in the city would be monitored during the lockdown period and no vehicle — private or commercial — would be allowed to enter or exit. “Anyone willing to leave the city should do so by Saturday,” the Health Minister stated.
The city has recorded over 700 new infections since June 15, which prompted the state to take the decision. Of 276 fresh infections reported in Assam on Thursday, 133 were from Guwahati, according to the data.
-CHK
