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The Assam government has issued an order prohibiting unvaccinated persons from entering public places save hospitals, citing a sharp increase in Covid cases caused by the Omicron form. The ruling comes after the central government filed an application with the Supreme Court claiming that Covid immunization is not mandatory.

Citizens must carry proof of vaccination while attending public venues, and proprietors of public or private enterprises must ensure that only fully vaccinated people are permitted inside, failing which criminal action will be taken.

People who refuse to get vaccinated should stay at home, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Despite the fact that the vaccine is not required, the chief minister stated that unvaccinated people are not permitted to enter offices or public spaces. People may be required to provide their immunization certificates, according to Sarma, and his government will not tolerate any anti-public activities.

According to recent data, Assam's daily optimism rate jumped to 10.75 percent on Monday. On January 1, the figure was 0.77 percent, and on January 13, it was 7.87 percent. On Monday, the state reported 23,948 current Covid cases.

According to Assam National Health Mission (NHM) Director Lakshmanan, the state saw 6,982 new Covid positive cases on Monday, up from 150 instances on January 1. He also said,  “Almost all major districts had a significant number of cases including Kamrup Metro, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Cachar, Jorhat, and Barpeta. There has certainly been a surge.” 

Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua issued guidelines requiring all government employees, including those on a contractual and fixed salary, to be completely vaccinated and to report to work.

Exceptions have been made for people for whom immunization is contraindicated by state health department laws or if a doctor certifies otherwise.

Employees in vital services, such as those in public or private organizations providing essential services, law enforcement, and poll workers, would be able to report to work without limits. By observing Covid-appropriate behaviour, industrial units and tea gardens were allowed to operate.

“This order is absolutely not for the forceful application but to create awareness in people that everyone should take the vaccine… We are not harassing anyone who enters cinema halls, offices, malls, etc… Taking this vaccine means saving people’s lives,” says Munindra Nath Ngatey, Director (family welfare).

In Assam, more than 95% of people have received the first dose of the vaccination, and more than 75% have received the second dose. Until Monday, the state government has given out 4 crore vaccination shots, with 2.29 crore initial doses and 1.70 crore second doses. A total of 56,374 preventive doses have been given out by the state. Nearly 25 lakh to 35 lakh persons who are due for their second dose have yet to receive it, according to the NHM director.