In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the Assam government has announced financial assistance of $2,000 to permanent residents of the state who are stranded abroad. The one-time financial assistance is to help them survive in a foreign land as they are unable to get back home, NDTV reported.
"We have decided to transfer $2,000 to residents of the state who are stranded abroad for a month and are unable to return home due to the global shutdown following the coronavirus outbreak," Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told NDTV. The health minister clarified that this assistance is not for NRIs or those who are studying abroad and have a house or hostel to stay in, adding that the money will be credited in the accounts of those who travelled abroad in the last 30 days.
Though Assam has not yet reported a coronavirus positive case, the state is taking extreme precautions. The state government on Friday cancelled all examinations in the state till March 31 and directed 50 per cent of government officials to work from home.
In order to avoid mass gatherings, the state has also decided to shut all crowded areas in the state. From March 22, the state will start hand-stamping process at airports, railway stations and other places for the people who will come to the state from outside, Sarma said. He also added that all commercial buildings and shopping establishments should enable handwashing facilities.
On Sunday, the state will also take part in the ‘janata curfew’ called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Novel coronavirus cases in India rose to 258 on Saturday after 35 fresh cases were reported in various parts of the country, according to the Health Ministry. Among the 258 are 39 foreign nationals, including 17 from Italy, three from the Philippines, two from the UK, one each belonging to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore.
The total figure also includes four deaths reported from Delhi, Karnataka, Punjab and Maharashtra.