Assam to allow one-time conditional travel

Guwahati: Assam will allow one-time conditional travel for those stuck across the state due to the Covid-19 lockdown from April 25 to April 27 while the sick can

Published on: Apr 22, 2020, 23:22:09 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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Guwahati: Assam will allow one-time conditional travel for those stuck across the state due to the Covid-19 lockdown from April 25 to April 27 while the sick can move from one district to another on all days following clearance from deputy commissioners.

“The state transport department will operate buses on designated routes on April 25, 26, and 27 for those who do not have their own vehicles. They can get details by calling on helpline number 104,” state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. “Those who have their own vehicles and are stuck due to lockdown will be allowed to travel to their homes or workplace with due permission from the district authorities.”

Similarly, employers needing transport for their workers to travel to workplaces allowed to function will be allowed to do so after necessary permission from district authorities.

The state government has also instructed private schools to charge only 50% of total fees for one month and not to increase fees or deduct salaries of teachers and other staff. “If schools remain closed till the end of May, we will lose 52 working days. If the situation improves, we should be able to cover the session by taking classes on Saturdays and by reducing the number of holidays,” Sarma said.

He announced the state government will conduct free Covid-19 tests for journalists on April 25 in Guwahati. As many as 53 journalists in Mumbai were found to be Covid-19 positive on Monday.

Assam has not recorded any new Covid-19 for week. Of the state’s 34 patients, 19 have recovered, while one has died.

Sarma said they have conducted 5,789 tests till date. “At present there are 3,338 isolation beds, 440 ICU [intensive care unit] beds and facilities to quarantine over 10,000 people. We have adequate stock of PPEs [personal protection equipment] and masks. The state government has ordered 1 lakh rapid testing kits and they should reach the state soon,” Sarma said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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