Guwahati: Assam witnessed a slight rise in the Covid cases in the last few days after crowds swelled up at puja pandals during the Durga Puja celebrations. There have been reports of people not adhering to covid protocols, no social distancing being maintained or masks being worn. Amid this, the by-elections to five constituencies of Assam are going to take place on October 30. Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika hinted on Wednesday on the possibility of lockdown in the state owing to the current Covid-19 scenario.
The minister, while speaking on the upcoming by-elections with the media persons said that if the Covid situation doesn’t improve, the state government might impose lockdown in the state.
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He added that if people do not cautiously follow the covid protocols, then the government will be forced to impose another lockdown in the state.
Earlier on Tuesday, State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta had said that if the number of COVID-19 cases in the state continues to rise and does not reduce within 3/4 days, the government will take tough measures.
Minister, Keshab Mahanta said this after the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday.
It may be mentioned that the state was reporting more than 250 cases of COVID-19 before Durga puja, but the state reported nearly 300 cases for the first time today post-Durga puja.
On October 17, the state recorded 205 cases of the virus; however, in the last 24 hours, the state has reported 298 cases.
There has been a rising concern among the people of the state of yet another wave of covid cases as Assam readies for the upcoming by-elections to five constituencies. Large gatherings, public rallies and campaigning during Vidhan Sabha elections added to the overall case load of the state's covid numbers during the elections, forcing the government to announce a lockdown post elections.
