Public gathering was not prohibited, says Assam Health Minister on pol gatherings
- Sep 01, 2021,
- Updated Sep 01, 2021, 12:21 AM IST
By Devabrata Dutta
GUWAHATI: Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta has asserted today that there was no prohibition on holding any gathering of 200 people in the last month and if people refrained from holding it then it was their call.
The Health Minister has issued a fresh set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the state of Assam and introduced a few more relaxations to the ongoing COVID-19 related restrictions which have come to effect from 11 am today onwards.
Prior to that recently in the month of August, the Bharatiya Janata Party has organised a nationwide 'Jan Ashirwaad Yatra', in Assam also observation of the same celebration was spotted following the homecoming of Union Minister and former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, which have witnessed a mass gathering of his followers in the roads of Assam amid the prevailing COPVID-19 situation. This had embarked on a social media outrage as well.
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On asked by InsideNE, whether SOPs for political programs are different from the ones for the common public, Health Minister Mahanta responded, "We have not differentiated with anyone. SOPs were issued for all and gathering of a maximum of 200 people were allowed in a large open space."
Mahanta added, "It was not party-specific either. If some parties have not held any gathering then it was their call."
The Health Minister asserted that the benefits are going to be very much vaccination oriented in Assam from now on. People inoculated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are most welcome to take benefit of these new relaxations.
Minister also said that meeting/gathering at any open or closed spaces allowed up to 50 single vaccinated people with prior intimation to local police. However, with the prior permission of jurisdictional DC for maximum gathering up to 200 persons (at least single vaccinated) may be allowed for both public and private functions which will also be applicable for closed spaces subject to 50 per cent of the hall capacity.