Guwahati will go under complete lockdown for 14 days from midnight today after several new cases were detected in the last couple of days and incidents of citizens not adhering to social distancing norms.
Earlier, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing the lockdown said: “This will trouble people, it will harm the interests of the business establishments. However, the Government has to take tough decisions., These decisions are painful, but with great pain and sorrow, we have to take this decision. We did not think that we would have to shift from an unlock phase to lockdown, but we had no other option”, Sarma said.
Sarma said that lockdown will be clamped in the entire Kamrup (M) district till July 12. “This time, expect pharmacies, laboratories, and hospitals, nothing will be open. Movement of all individuals will be prohibited beyond a specific area”, Sarma said. The Minister said that shops, businesses, industries, private and public transport will also not be allowed. “Apart from the COVID duty and flood-relief related officials, no passes will be issued”, Sarma added.
Meanwhiile, an employee of the 108 Mrityunjoy ambulance service has tested positive for Covid-19 virus. The man is reportedly a member of the Emergency Response Office (ERO) in GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute’s head office in Guwahati’s Lokhra area.
6 SBI branches to remain open
Meanwhile, during the total lockdown from June 28 to July 12 in all the areas under Kamrup Metropolitan district, State Bank of India will open six branches in the District for its customers. The branches are – Guwahati, Dispur, Guwahati Medical College, Maligaon, Guwahati Airport and Assam Secretariat. Through a release, the SBI requested its customers to visit above branches in case of extreme need only. Along with the six branches, Commercial Branch, Swagato Square, ABC Point, Guwahati will also be open during the lockdown.
Operational Punjab National Bank (PNB) branches in Guwahati during lockdown
In addition, Punjab National Bank (PNB) will open its following branches for customer service during the lockdown period. On June 29 the branches of the bank that will remain open are of Chandmari, Zoo Road, Kamakhya (eUBI), Guwahati (e-UBI) and Zoo Road (eOBC). The branches to remain open on June 30 are of Mahavir Market, Zoo Road, Khanapara (eUBI), Guwahati (eUBI) and GS Road (e-OBC).