Afternoon News - 26 March, 2020
04:38 Share

There won’t be any dearth of essential commodities during the lockdown: Government - The State government has spelt it out in clear terms that any violation of the 21-day lockdown that began from midnight on Tuesday is punishable under the Disaster Management Act. The government has also assured the people of the State that there won’t be any dearth of essential commodities in the State during the lockdown.

Sarusajai Stadium and Nehru Stadium in Guwahati to be converted into quarantine centres - To combat the threat rising from COVID-19 infection, the Assam government has decided to set up two large quarantine centres with capacity of 1,000 persons each in the city-one in Sarusajai Stadium and the other in the Nehru Stadium, said Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

DGP: stringent punishment, including 1-year non-bailable jail for lockdown violators - State DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, who was also present at a press conference along with the Chief Secretary, said police personnel, going against their will, had to be tough in enforcing the 21-day lockdown since midnight on Tuesday.  He added, “This lockdown under the Disaster Management Act, first of its kind so far I remember, has provisions for stringent punishment, including one-year non-bailable jail.

Youth arrested in Hailakandi district of Assam’s for concealing travel history to China - A youth who had recently returned from China was arrested in Hailakandi for having concealed his travel history, said an official. The youth has been quarantined, and an FIR has been filed at the Sadar Police Station against the youth and his father, a government employee.

**Assam State Excise department has directed 5 companies to produce 1 crore hand sanitizers - **Assam State Excise department has directed five companies to produce 1 crore hand sanitizers of 200 ML each to be sold at government-fixed prices. The companies will have to produce the item following the guidelines set by WHO and also the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Pastor from Mizoram tested positive for coronavirus, making it the 2nd case in NE - A 50-year-old man, a Christian pastor from Mizoram has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, making it the second case in the north-eastern region of India, officials said on Wednesday.

**Coronavirus cases in India: 42 patients recovered and have been discharged from hospital - **In a major relief for the panic-stricken people. There are at least 606 confirmed Coronavirus cases in India as of Wednesday. While 553 are active cases, 42 patients have been discharged from hospital and 10 people have lost their lives, said the Ministry of H&FW Ministry.

**Health Services Department: 1,366 home-quarantined in Lakhimpur - **In the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus, strict vigil on persons coming back from other States continues in Lakhimpur district. As per report from the Health Services Department, the number of people kept under home quarantine increased up to 1,366 on Wednesday. On the day, home quarantine for 1,002 more such people of the district was ensured by the Health Services Department.

CM directs setting up of 24x7 control room - Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed to set up a 24x7 control with adequate staff to help the people to gather information about essential and emergency services in the state in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic.