DECISION ON APNI MANDIS, SERVING LIQUOR, 0DD-EVEN TODAY

CHANDIGARH: With the Chandigarh administration adopting the Union home ministry order on Unlock 2.0 on Tuesday, the night curfew timings stand changed from 10pm to 5am. Earlier, the timings were 9pm to 5am.

UT adviser Manoj Kumar Parida, in his capacity as the chairman of the state disaster management authority, issued the orders with immediate effect.

The order says schools, colleges and coaching institutions in Chandigarh will remain closed till July 31.

Cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will continue to remain closed and no social, political, academic, cultural or religious function or any other large gathering will not be allowed.

Meanwhile, Parida said the decision on opening of apni mandis, discontinuing with the oddeven formula in some of the congested markets and allowing liquor to be served in restaurants will be taken during the administrator’s war room meet on Wednesday.

According to a senior official, who did not wish to be named, the administration is most likely to do away with the odd-even formula. The administration is also likely to allow serving of liquor in restaurants, though most officials are against opening apni mandis because of difficultly in maintaining social distancing, he said.