<span style="color: #222222;">In Assam, new guidelines in urban and peri-urban areas have come into force from this morning in the state. The Assam Government decided to close all offices and educational institutes for 15 days from today. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma yesterday directed the Health Department to conduct one lakh COVID tests daily. Our Correspondent reports that five thousand 657 cases were reported in Guwahati yesterday while 71 persons lost their lives. The recovery rate was 85.74 per cent.<br />''<br />''All shops and commercial establishments are closed at 1 P.M. daily. The weekly 'haats', bazaars are not allowed for 15 days. However, pharmacies, hospitals, animal care centres and veterinary clinics are allowed to operate. Marriages and religious functions are allowed with the presence of a maximum of 10 people. All public transport  vehicles are operating only upto 30 percent of seating capacity. All the educational institutes, government and non-government offices are also closed for 15 days. Only  online classes to be continued for students.</span><br />