Himanta Appeals Stranded People To Return By June 10

AssamHealth and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the peoplestranded outside the state to return immediately if they are willing to return.The minister urged the people to get back to their state within June 10.

Theminister has decided to bring back the stranded people within June before the onsetof floods in July.

Sarmafurther stated that the government will have to monitor the flood situation duringthe season and therefore, asked the people to return within the stipulated timefor their safety.

It may be mentioned that till Sunday afternoon, nearly 60,000people had entered Assam from other states in the region and across the country.

Moreover, the government is also busy with the people who alreadyreturned from other states of the country. From screening to get themquarantined in different quarantine centers, the government has taken allpossible measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, with the resume of flight service fromMonday, a total of 32 flights were expected to arrive at Guwahati's LokapriyaGopinath Bordoloi International Airport on the day, but due to cancellations,only eight arrived. A total of 686 passengers landed on the first day.

The health minister, senior Airport Authority of India officials, security personnel, and state government officials were present at the airport to ensure the standard operating procedures (SOPs) prepared by the Assam government were followed.

All passengers were taken by government vehicles totheir respective districts, where they will be placed in quarantine. The state hasdeclared 14 days of mandatory quarantine and Covid-19 tests for all passengers.Although there was an apprehension that chaos and confusion would mark thefirst day, it was avoided as most of the flights to Guwahati got cancelled.

Speakingto media at the airport, Sarma said that on the first day the number ofarriving passengers got reduced due to cancellations, but from Tuesday, around1,000 more passengers have been expected to arrive. The next few days will be abit hectic, but I am sure we will be able to manage the situation," theminister said.