State takes all precautionary measures against COVID-19
GUWAHATI: All government and private schools, colleges, institutes and universities of Assam as well as cinema halls/multiplexes, gymnasiums and swimming pools, will remain closed from March 16 to 29, 2020 as a precautionary measure against community transmission of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Addressing reporters here on Sunday, Assam chief secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna said the state government was yet to take a call regarding closing the shopping malls as the footfall will invariably be less as cinema halls will remain closed during the two-week period.
“The situation in the state is under control. So far, there is no confirmed case of coronavirus in Assam. However, we have put in place over 800 centres to quarantine people, over 100 isolation wards and about 50 ICU beds (specially for COVID-19) and 50 more ICU beds in private hospitals in case of any emergency,” Krishna said.
He informed that barring CBSE and Board examinations which would continue as scheduled, all other examinations in educational institutions of the state have been withheld during the period.
The chief secretary said the deputy commissioners of all districts have been asked to discourage people to avoid public gathering and social contact. He further said that all government programmes have been cancelled during the period to avoid mass gatherings.
“We have been generating awareness among public through various campaigns. In the rural areas, Gaon Panchayats, ASHA workers have been activated in regard to generating publicity. Rapid response teams have been constituted in all districts as well,” Krishna said.
“At the same time, we would appeal to the people not to panic and instead adhere to the health advisories particularly in regard to cough/sneeze etiquettes and personal hygiene,” he said.
In regard to the entry and exit points along the state’s border, the chief secretary said that barring Sutarkandi/Mankachar bordering Bangladesh and Darranga (near the Bhutan border) where medical teams are engaged in screening commuters on a war footing, all other entry and exit points have been closed.
Assam has over the past month strengthened surveillance and control measures against the disease, with 1075 passengers screened at six airports in the state.
State control rooms with help lines, 6913347770/1/2/3 and 104 (Sarathi) have been made functional for emergency calls and guidance.
A
total of 253 travellers from COVID-19 affected countries have been
identified, of which 123 have completed the observation period of 28
days while the remaining 130 are under home isolation.
