Assam revises night curfew rules, flags shortage of beds
ASSAM TO start vaccination for above 18 youths from Wednesday but it will pick up only after May 7.
Amid the Covid positivity rate hovering between 8 to 10 per cent, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday feared that if current trend Continues, the state may have to face the shortage of beds in hospitals soon.
Asserting that the state government was keeping a close watch on the situation, Sarma told reporters that they have asked the district administration to identify the localities and wards where the rate of positivity is high.
“We intend to start declaring such wards as a containment zone in the first phase,” said the minister, clarifying that they are not facing shortage of beds so far but the situation may turn worse if necessary steps are not taken.
The minister also announced that they are going to start vaccination for above 18 youths from Wednesday but it will pick up only after May 7.
He reiterated that there is no other way to check the surge other than controlling the movement of people and following Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Meanwhile the state government on Tuesday revised the night curfew timing which will come into effect from 6 pm to 5 am daily from Wednesday (May 5).
In the revised SOP issued by the state government, it also said that the shops and other business establishments will be closed from 2 pm which was closing down from 6 pm.
No people or individuals could move out of their home after 6 pm. However, emergency services will be exempted from the order.
The government has also imposed new rules for marriage. The new order said that only 20 persons will be allowed to attend the marriage party.
No meetings, public gatherings will be allowed in open space.
The health officials said that the detection of 4,489 Covid positive cases out of 55,939 tests done on Monday, a rise from 2,385 cases the previous day, may be an indication that the second wave is reaching its peak in the state.
“In Assam, the transmission is yet to reach its peak, if we go by trends in other states. Thus, more caution is required. We have stepped into the second month of increase in new positive cases. The peak time may be on the cards soon,” Assam NHM officials said.