Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday visited Jonai in Dhemaji district and took stock of the COVID-19 preparedness.

He also chaired a review meeting with the officials of Jonai Sub-Division and Dhemaji district administration.

Sonowal issued an instruction to the district administration to take preparatory measures for the forthcoming floods.

He asked them to be ready for facing all challenges in the fight against COVID-19 during the time of floods.

The chief minister also appreciated the people of Assam for maintaining COVID-19 protocols.

He said that these have helped the government in containing the pandemic so far.

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal interacting with the Dhemaji district administration officials. Courtesy: CMPR Cell

Sonowal further urged the people not to panic in view of the rapid spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state in the last few days.

He also urged the Muslim community to curtail the forthcoming Eid festivities and perform Namaz indoors.

The CM further directing the Dhemaji DC and the district administration to maintain all facilities like hygienic food, clean drinking water and power supply in the six quarantine centres.

CM Sarbananda Sonowal also directed the PHE Department to set up hygienic temporary toilets in the community quarantine centres.

He directed DC and SP to call up senior citizens in the society and enquire about their wellbeing during these difficult times while also instructing them to create awareness about maintaining quarantine norms.

He also directed the bank officials present in the meeting to extend all possible help to MSMEs in Dhemaji district.

"It is important to identify the potential of MSMEs for the banks in coordination with industries department," CM Sarbananda Sonowal said.

"This would help the that MSMEs to take advantage from the Rs 20 lakh crore package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Sonowal added.

"Banks have committed to provide collateral-free loans to MSMEs," Sonowal said

"The state government has decided to become guarantors so that MSMEs can avail bank loans without any hassle," he added.

He also urged the MSMEs to come forward to take advantage of this initiative.

CM Sarbananda Sonowal also took stock of the situation arising out of pig farmers being affected by African Swine Fever related to pig deaths.

He asked the district administration to prepare a list of all those affected farmers for extending financial help.