Guwahati: Assam today announced a “total lockdown” in Guwahati from Monday for the next two weeks after a sharp surge in new coronavirus patients was recorded in the last ten days. Next week, only pharmacies and hospitals will be allowed to open in the city, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said this afternoon as he stressed: “Please finish your shopping by Sunday.”
“A total lockdown will be observed in Kamrup (Metro) district for two weeks from Sunday midnight. For the first seven days, only pharmacies and hospitals will be open. Everything else will be shut,” the 51-year-old minister said during a virtual press conference this afternoon. Guwahati is a part of the district.
A 12-hour night-curfew – between 7 pm and 7 am – will be observed across the state from Friday, he added.
The state will enforce a “complete lockdown” in other towns and municipal areas on weekends from Saturday every week; only emergency services will be allowed.
In Guwahati, banks will be allowed to open for a limited duration. Air or rail tickets can be used as passes by travelers, Mr Sarma said, adding that he would review the situation next Friday to consider relaxations.
