Himachal Pradesh government has decided to close all educational institutions including universities, colleges, and technical institutes in the state till April 4 as a precautionary measure in view of spurt in COVID-19 cases.
The decision was taken in a high level committee presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur at Shimla on Friday. After the meeting Chief Minister said, “Teaching staff would continue to attend their institutions and institutes where exams are continuing would be exempted from the closure but will have to follow SOPs”
The schools having residential facilities need not close their hostels, however they would have to comply with all the SOPs and will have to appoint a compliance officer to implement the guidelines
He said , “ State government would not organize any social or cultural event and a gathering in a private function would be restricted to 200 persons for indoor functions and gathering would have to be reduced by half for outdoor functions; holding langars inside the temples have also been prohibited ; however paying obeisance in temples would continue .”
The state government has declared April 3 as a public holiday but playing Holi in public places has been prohibited and CM has appealed people to celebrate the Holi at their places.
It has been decided the District Administration would take judicious call on more restrictions keeping in view the prevailing situation in each district.
Meanwhile 140 people have tested COVID + as per government report 48 in Hamirpur, 25 in Shimla , 35 in Sirmour, 39 in Solan , 34 in Una, 14 in Kangra and 12 in Bilaspur district .