Schools, colleges shut in Himachal till March 31

SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday ordered that all anganwadis, schools, colleges, universities and cinema halls in the state will remain closed till March 31 as a preventive measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In a suo motu statement made in the assembly, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the scheduled school exams will continue according to schedule but all government and private educational institutions will remain closed. All religious functions, fairs and sports events have also been cancelled.

The samples of seven suspected cases have tested negative so the state has no confirmed case of coronavirus infection.

“The decision to close schools and colleges has been taken as a precautionary measure and there is nothing to be afraid of as the state government is fully prepared to meet any situation,” the chief minister said.

He advised people to stay alert and take precautions as advised by the health authorities. The state government has called off the Pre-World Cup Paragliding Championship that was to be organised from March 30 to April 5 at Bir-Billing in Kangra district.

The decision was taken in the wake of the ban imposed on foreign travellers by the Government of India.

50-BEDDED QUARANTINE CENTRE SET UP

The district health authorities have set-up a 50-bedded quarantine centre for Coronavirus patients at the Regional Health and Family Welfare Training Centre at Chheb near Kangra town, deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati said on Saturday.

The deputy commissioner has urged people to stay alert and not panic due to virus outbreak.