COVID-19: 391 Students from Kota Finally Reach Assam, Quarantined at Sarusajai

Guwahati, April 27, 2020:

Earlier in the morning today, as many as 391 students from Assam who were stranded in the coaching hub of Kota, Rajasthan, have returned back to the state amid the COVID-19 crisis. They are now being quarantined at the 1,000 bed facility inside the Sarusajau stadium in Guwahati.

When they reached Assam around 3 am, they were received by Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his junior Minister Pijush Hazarika.

Taking to Twitter, Sarma posted pictures along with the caption, "After a long journey from Kota 391 children are back, with smiles & cheers. To ensure they and their families remain safe, we are putting them into 14-day quarantine. Today around 3 am, I and Pijush Hazarika received them and ensured smooth shifting at Sarusajai Sports Complex."

Later in the day, Sarma informed the students "taught them the norms of 14 day mandatory quarantine which they need to observe now after a long journey to Assam."

Meanwhile, the Assam Finance and Heath Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has informed that the Government of Assam has extended the last date for inter-district travel in the state till April 30.

More than 73,000 applications were received for inter district movement by private vehicles in the state out of which 26,950 applicants availed the benefit till yesterday, Sarma said, adding that 11,588 applications are likely to be cleared by today. However, one vehicle will be approved for one time only. Repeat applications with same vehicle registration number will be rejected.

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Initially, 34,559 applications for inter district movement couldn’t be considered because those were for round trip movements. Now, the state government has decided to allow round trip movement to those applicants. The round trip movement will be allowed on 28, 29 and 30 April. The round trip applications which were rejected earlier will also be approved, informed Sarma.

Similarly, 41,651 applications have been received for travelling by ASTC. 2,085 applicants travelled on the first day and the number rose to 12,000 in Sunday. “The applicants who wish to travel by ASTC buses can also avail the facility of round trip from 28th to 30th April”, Sarma informed.

The minister also said that if the government of India decides, the state government expects to attempt movement of the people of Assam stranded in other states back to Assam after few days.

Meanwhile, the number of active COVID-19 patients has sunk to 7 and by April 30th, the state's Health Minister has opined that they will be able to discharge all the patients. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 35, with one casualty so far.

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