Assam police personnel prepare for Republic Day parade.
The Assam government on Friday banned all cultural programmes, award functions and participation of school children for the Republic Day celebrations in the state in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Issuing an order, Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua said the Republic Day programme will be limited to National Flag hoisting, speech by the guest of honour and ceremonial parade only.
"Republic Day programme will be limited to National Flag hoisting, speech by the guest of honour and ceremonial parade only. Other activities like cultural programmes, award, prize distribution are to be avoided. The gathering for Republic Day programme may be limited to a maximum of 1,000 for state function and 200 for any other distribution are to be avoided," the order stated.
There shall be no involvement of school children in the ceremonial parade or march past, the order issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said.
"Pre and Post Republic Day programme may be avoided in view of the prevailing COVID function in Kamrup (Metro) district, 500 for district level situation in the state. There shall be no involvement of school children in ceremonial parade or march past. Only trained police, security personnel and Homeguards who are fully vaccinated shall be allowed to participate in the ceremonial parade and march past," it said.
The order also stated that only trained police, security personnel and home guards, who are fully vaccinated, shall be allowed to participate in the ceremonial parade and march past.
Meanwhile, Kamrup Metro district administration have issued guidelines to contain the rising cases of COVID-19.
Like previous two years, this year too the Republic Day Celebrations in the state will be curtailed due to rising cases.
Assam reported 6,897 new cases and 15 deaths on Friday.
According to the health bulletin, there are 45,021 active cases, while the positivity rate stands at 12.13 per cent. There are 2,979 recoveries in the state, with the recovery rate at 92.31 per cent.
54,849 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.
With inputs from agencies