Lockdown in Guwahati to be relaxed from Monday; CM reviews situation

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sowal on Friday reviewed COVID-19 situation in state as his government decided to relax restrictions in Guwahati from Monday after a two-week-long lockdown. chief minister, during a meeting with officials, also discussed and finalised guidelines which will be me effective in city following relaxation in curbs, an official statement here said. Sowal reviewed steps taken by health department for treatment of COVID-19 patients and arrangements me for ir isolation, it said.

He also assessed challenges faced by people during lockdown and asked officials to ensure strict compliance of health department guidelines when restrictions are eased. chief minister discussed strategies that might have to be opted if number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase, statement said. Principal Secretary of Health Department Sameer Sinha apprised Sowal about steps taken by officials to contain spre of disease, it said.

Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Director General of Police Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta and chief minister's Principal Secretary Sanjay Lohiya were among those present at meeting. Meanwhile, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited Nagaon to review COVID-19 situation in district, where more than 200 people are undergoing treatment at various government-run hospitals.

He told reporters that government will make arrangements for more beds to treat COVID-19 patients and establish coronavirus care centres in four schools. To a question, Sarma said re is probability of imposing a lockdown in Nagaon district as of w, but deputy commissioner is empowered to take a decision in this regard, if need arises. He also said that state government is concerned about spre of Japanese encephalitis, and so far seven people have succumbed to mosquito-borne disease. 

(Im credits: PTI)