The Assam government on Sunday ordered closure of all educational institutions, cinema halls, gymnasiums and swimming pools with immediate effect till March 29 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
All exams, except board examinations, have been cancelled till the specified date, Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said at a press conference in Guwahati.
"Even though no positive case of coronavirus has been detected in the state so far, we are taking all precautionary measures," Krishna said. "The order will cover all schools, colleges, universities, gyms, swimming pools and movie halls across the state. We have asked them to close down till March 29."
"Six medical colleges and 25 district hospitals are equipped to handle any situation. There is no need to panic," Sinha said. "Only the people need to follow the basic precautionary measures like social distancing and reporting to doctor if one is suffering from cough and fever."
"This is the peak tourism season. On a day, 400-500 foreign and 32,000-35,000 domestic tourists come here as they also use the state for transit," Angamuthu said. "Sadly, we have got reports that foreign travellers are being treated differently over coronavirus threat. That we should not do."