Guwahati, Apr 20 (PTI) In view of spiralling COVID-19 cases, the Assam government on Tuesday ordered that all markets and shops will shut by 6 pm.

The government permitted 50 per cent of lower-level staff to work from home in the districts having active coronavirus cases of 100 or more.

Issuing fresh guidelines, Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua ordered the deputy commissioners to strictly enforce the restrictions, which came along with several penal provisions under various laws.

"Our situation is not so alarming at this moment and it is still under control. But we can't say what will be the situation in next 7-8 days," he said at a press conference here.

Barua said the latest order comes in force with immediate effect and will be in place till April 30.

"However, we will review the situation in the next 3-4 days and if the cases continue to rise, then we will come out with stricter guidelines," he added.

As per the guidelines, all markets, malls, weekly markets and standalone shops other than pharmacies will have to shut by 6 pm.

"Except officers, only 50 per cent employees can work from office... Pregnant women employees and women with children of 5 years or below irrespective of their grade shall be allowed to work from home," the order said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)