Covid-19: Assam to lift more curbs from October 1, tourist spots to reopen once again

GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced plans to lift all Covid-19 restrictions from most parts of state, especially from the wildlife tourist destinations, from October 1, but online classes will continue from lower primary to class VIII for the time being.
He said that offline classes for Class IX, XI and Degree 2nd year will re-start from October 1.Schools and colleges have already re-opened for classes X, XII and final year degree courses.
Sarma underlined that Covid-19 vaccination was “the only weapon” and appealed to people to get themselves vaccinated immediately to return to a completely normal state.
“The pandemic has taken a huge toll on those who depend on tourism activities for their livelihood. We have cleared withdrawal of all Covid-19 restrictions in all the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife safari, hotels, resorts and all activities in these destinations have been allowed to return to normal functioning from October 1,” he said.
But, hoteliers and resort owners should insist that guests have at least one dose of vaccine. He added, “A tourist who has not taken a single dose of vaccine, would not be refused rooms in hotels and resorts in the wildlife tourism destinations, but I would expect the hotel and resort owners to take such guests to the nearest vaccination centre and help them get their first dose.”
He said that except for some parts where “there might be two to three per cent of restrictions,” the state was looking at going back to normal life from next month, but underlined the need for the people of the state to get themselves vaccinated.
“Vaccination is the biggest weapon to tackle the pandemic. If everyone has at least the first dose, we can lift all restrictions from all parts of the state.
“We have administered 1.78 first doses so far and 49 lakh second doses. The remaining population should get themselves vaccinated immediately and no one should stay away. We have enough stock of vaccines,” Sarma said.