Assam's COVID scenario not bad enough to impose lockdown: CM Sonowal

GUWAHATI: Assam's chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal today ruled out the possibility of imposing another lockdown in view of the rapid surge of COVID-19 and the detection of the Indian double mutant strain.

Asked about the chances of the imposition of another lockdown, the chief minister said: "Till now, the situation is not such. I appeal to all the people of Assam to ensure that we do not reach such a stage so that we have to declare lockdown."

Today, Sonowal had called an all-party meet at the Staff College in Guwahati's Khanapara to discuss the challenges of the latest wave of the virus during which mutant strains have been detected, posing a greater challenge to the health machinery. During this meet, the leaders of the parties reached a consensus to battle COVID-19 challenge together.

"Representatives of many parties took part in the all-party meet and they have expressed their willingness to co-operate with the state government in its initiatives. In the future, they have promised to help the state government," Sonowal told media persons after the meet.

Admitting that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on a dire form, the chief minister emphasized the need to fight the virus jointly. He further appealed to all the citizens of the state to follow the COVID-19 protocol imposed by the government to arrest the spread of the contagion.

"We have to alert. Maintenance of hygiene, social distancing, and wearing of masks is of the utmost importance," Sonowal reiterated, adding that people from both Barak and Brahmaputra valleys should follow the SOPs and publicize the measures to be taken to keep the virus at bay.

"If someone violates the SOPs, we will be forced to take strict measures in the interest of the people," Sonowal added.

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