Night curfew imposed in Assam till May 1 amid COVID surge

GUWAHATI: Amid rising COVID-19 cases, the Assam government on Tuesday imposed a night curfew across the state from 8 pm to 5 am till May 1.

A circular issued by the

Assam State Disaster Management Authority read, “The situation of COVID-19 in Assam has been reviewed and it has been observed that there has been a rapid increase in the number of active COVID-19 cases in the state and therefore, night curfew needs to be imposed in all the districts of Assam, except for essential and emergency activities/services as an emergency measure for the well being and safety of the people.

“And therefore, in the exercise of the powers under section 22 (2) h of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Chairperson,

Executive Committee of the State Disaster Management Authority, Assam, hereby directs that there shall be a total ban on movement of individuals from 8 pm to 5 am daily, “said the order.

The order exempts officials of Government of India, the government of Assam, judicial officers, officials of courts on the production of valid ID card, all private medical personnel, and other hospital services, pregnant women and patients for getting medical/health services, persons coming from/going to airports/ railway stations/isbts allowed to travel on the production of a valid ticket, electronic and print media. The order further stated that there will be no restriction on inter-state/intra-state movement, transportation of essential/non-essential goods, adding that no separate permission /e-pass will be required for such movements.