Guwahati, Jan 12: The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has partially relaxed the curfew imposed in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in Assam on Thursday night in view of uruka, the night of feasting preceding Magh Bihu.
“In view of the celebration of Bhogali Bihu in Assam, the night curfew imposed for containment of COVID-19 has been partially relaxed. Now, the night curfew will be in force with effect from 11pm of January 13, 2022 to 4am of January 14, 2022,” ASDMA chief executive officer Gyanendra Tripathi stated in a WT message to district officials and police officers on Wednesday.
However, from January 14, 2022, the night curfew will resume from 10pm to 6am until further orders.
“All deputy commissioners and superintendents of police are to ensure the enforcement of night curfew,” Tripathi stated.
Assam reported 2837 COVID cases on Tuesday with an overall positivity rate of 5.69 percent. Kamrup (Metro) alone reported 870 cases and two deaths.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while announcing fresh restrictions on January 7 amid the spike in COVID cases, said the feast on uruka should end by 10 pm on Thursday while people could perform the traditional ritual of burning meji in the morning of Magh Bihu on Friday.
However, with the precautionary measure drawing flak from some quarters after the decision, the chief minister on Tuesday informed that the curfew would be relaxed by three hours, to allow people to feast on uruka and also venture out for early morning shopping in the markets.