Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune news service
Shimla, November 23
Concerned about the sudden spike in Covid cases, the Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Monday imposed a nightly curfew on four districts – Shimla, Kullu, Mandi and Kangra – which are quickly emerging as hotspots.
The decision was made by the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Jai Ram Thakur. The curfew would apply in these four districts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day until December 15, when it will be reviewed again. The Cabinet also decided that gatherings at social, political, cultural, sporting and other similar events in open areas would be limited to 200 people. The fine for not wearing a mask has been increased to Rs 1,000. All buses in the state would operate at 50 percent occupancy through December 15.
The decision was made with Shimla and Mandi receiving nearly 2,000 cases in the last fortnight and an average of 10 deaths a day. A core team will visit the mountainous state shortly to examine the situation that has resulted in Shimla and Mandi districts leading the country in terms of a very high positivity rate.
It was decided to keep all government educational institutions, including schools and universities, closed until December 31 for students. However, online studies would start from November 26. Teachers would continue to work from home until new orders were received. The offices of high schools, high schools and universities would be operational as of November 26. Principals would be free to call on faculty members based on local requirements.
The Cabinet has also decided to restrict the attendance of Class III and IV government employees to 50 percent, with each attending office three days a week until December 31, 2020.
It also decided that the winter closing institutions would remain closed from January 1 to February 12, 2021. The academic session would be extended in the event of winter school closings and students in classes first through fourth and courses six and seven they would be promoted according to the provision. from RTE, 2009.
It was also decided that the final exam for classes 5, 8, 9 and 11 would be held simultaneously for schools that close for winter and summer in March 2021. The Board exams for classes 10 and 12 would be held in March of 2021 together for schools that close the winter and summer with a 30 percent relaxation in the curriculum already carried out by HP Board of School Education.
