Guwahati, Jan 22: Pre and post Republic Day celebrations have been prohibited in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases in the state of late.
Moreover, the Republic Day programme at all levels across the state on January 26 will be limited to only National Flag hoisting, speech by the guest of honour and ceremonial parade.
“There shall be no involvement of school children in the ceremonial parade or march past. Only trained police, security personnel and home guards who are fully vaccinated shall be allowed to participate in the ceremonial parade and march past,” a special directive by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Friday, said.
“Other activities like cultural programmes, prize/award distribution are to be avoided,” the order issued by chief secretary Jishnu Barua, in the interest of containment of COVID-19 in the state, read.
“The gathering for the Republic Day programme may be limited to a maximum of 1000 for state-level function in Kamrup (Metro) district, 500 for district-level function and 200 for any other level,” the directive stated.
The COVID-19 positivity rate in the state is still hovering beyond the 12 percent mark with 15 deaths reported on Friday.
Picnics prohibited
The Kamrup district disaster management authority, meanwhile, has prohibited picnics in spots such as Ukiam, Kulsi, Chandubi, Baregaon, Rani Khamar, Kopili, Kedar, Dirgheswari, Madan Kamdev, Malang Sildubi (Houhuwapara) and any other picnic places/spots to prevent crowding and further spread of COVID-19 in the district.
Most of these picnic spots are along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
The order, issued by Kamrup deputy commissioner Kailash Karthik, who is also the chairman of the district disaster management authority, comes into effect from Friday.