Assam plans permits for entry of people post COVID-19 lockdown

Those entering Assam after the COVID-19 lockdown period ends might be given a temporary permit as the state looks to regulate people movement and control the spread of coronavirus.

“We are worried that once the lockdown is withdrawn and interstate transport is opened up again, there will be a lot of pressure since hundreds of people from Assam are stranded (in other states) and would like to take the first opportunity to reach back home. This will mean a huge quarantine exercise,” state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was quoted as saying by NDTV.

To regulate this, permits that are not on the lines of the Inner Line Permit required in some areas of north-eastern states, would be issued to those entering the state. These permits will be “temporary” in nature, the minister said.

Sarma also said that the state government is developing an app and an online portal which would record details of people who wish to enter Assam after the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted. The 21-day lockdown imposed from March 25 is set to end on April 14.

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Assam will also “support” any proposal by the Centre for a “systematic and scientific” withdrawal of the nationwide lockdown, he said.

This comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference with chief ministers of states and proposed a staggered extension of lockdown in order to prevent further spread of coronavirus.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) had apparently proposed extension of the lockdown by another two weeks to contain the disease, as his state would not be in a position to deal in case of a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases.

However, there have been calls against extension of the lockdown to prevent further economic slump and to move essentials freely.