Gatherings capped at 50 as Covid cases spike in HP

Employees’ working week has been reduced to five days with 50% attendance in offices; political rallies banned

SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: With the surge in Covid cases continuing across Himachal Pradesh, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday order stricter restrictions such as capping gatherings in marriages and social events, staggered attendance in offices and 50% occupancy in public transport.

Thakur, after a high- level meeting held at state capital Shimla, said only 50 people will be allowed in marriages, funerals and social functions be it indoor or outdoor.

Employees’ working week has been reduced to five days with Saturday and Sunday being off.

In government offices, attendance of employees will be staggered so that half of the staff will attend office on two consecutive days and others will work from home. However, those working from home will not leave the station and will remain available for any kind of exigency. Employees with disabilities and pregnant employees have been exempted from attending offices. The CM said public transport vehicles will also ply with 50% occupancy.

“We are making all efforts to ensure that migrant labourers do not leave the state. Industries and contractors, with whom they are employed, have been asked to provide them with all necessary help,” said Thakur.

Political rallies have been completely banned. He said there is no restriction on movement of people as of now. However, people coming from high caseload states are expected to quarantine self.

Offices closed for public dealing in Kangra

Meanwhile, the Kangra district administration has imposed restriction on movement in at night. The restrictions will remain effective from 8pm to 6am from Tuesday night.

Kangra deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati said only some essential categories have been exempted. The movement on Saturday and Sundays will be restricted in the day time too while markets will remain closed. He said the district has recorded around 3,000 cases and 51 deaths in April month alone. “The positive rate in the month of April was well above 13%, which is alarming,” he said.

The DC said situation is somewhat under control and of 238 Covid beds available 189 are occupied. “We have also started a Covid Care Centre with 40-bed capacity, which could be expanded to 500 beds within 24 hours,” he said, adding that the administration is also in touch with private hospitals and 75 oxygenated beds can be arranged if needed. “Social and religious gatherings have been banned except marriages,” he said. Temples will be closed for public from Wednesday, but daily rituals will continue. Government offices have been closed for public dealing and people could approach the helpline and control rooms for any kind of help. He said there was no restriction on movement of people but those coming from high caseload states and returned from Kumbh or Vrindavan Dham will have to undergo 7-day self-quarantine.

Timings fixed for shops in Una

Una deputy commissioner Una Raghav Sharma said under the Disaster Management Act, markets in the district will remain closed on Sunday, except for essential goods shops. On week days also shops will open at fixed times. “All others shops except essential goods shops will remain closed on Sunday. On week days these shops will remain open from 9 am to 6 pm,” said Sharma.

Shops selling essential goods such as milk, bread, vegetables and meat will remain open from 7 am to 8pm. Barbers shops and saloons will remain open from 9 am to 6pm.