Lockdown in Assam: Tougher curbs imposed as cases surge - What's open, what's not

The Assam government on Saturday announced further restrictions in urban and adjacent areas, which will come into force from May 16, 5 am in all the districts of the state.

The order will be applicable in urban and adjacent areas within five km radius from the periphery of municipal corporation, municipal boards and revenue towns.

Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah, in his capacity as Chairperson of the State Disaster Management Authority, in an order directed that there will be a total ban on movement of individuals from 12 noon to 5 am except for those going for vaccinations, medical emergencies and engaged in essential services.

The order states that all shops and business establishments will shut at 11 AM on all days.

All vehicles, other than the government vehicles and those exempted by an earlier order, will be allowed to ply in accordance with an odd-even formula, to be decided by the district disaster management authorities, between 5 am to 12 noon. This restriction will, however, not apply to personal vehicles used for medical emergencies, the order stated.

The state government on May 12 had directed that all offices, religious places and weekly markets be shut for 15 days while there was total ban on movement of people from 2 pm to 5 am.

Assam currently has 3,19,632 COVID-19 positive cases while 2,060 people have died due to the infection. The number of active cases are 41,978 with 2,74,247 persons having recovered so far.