Curfew to continue till May 3 in Himachal

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 14

As expected, curfew in Himachal will continue till May 3 even though administrative heads and heads of departments will start functioning with skeletal staff from April 16 to ensure the smooth movement of supplies like medicines, farm inputs and other essential commodities.

Announcing this, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said as one positive case was reported today in Himachal after a gap of four days, there was need to strictly adhere to social distancing. “As announced by the Prime Minister, the curfew restrictions in Himachal will continue, except on essential services,” said Thakur.

He said the situation would be reviewed on April 20 and depending on the circumstances, a decision will be taken to see if relaxation can be given in certain areas. He added that all government offices and educational institutions will also remain closed till May 3.

Positive case from Una

Kutheda Khairla resident Sayal Muhammad (22) tested positive for coronavirus today. Now, the total positive cases in the district stand at 15.

Mask mandatory

Additional Chief Secretary RD Dhiman said that wearing mask or covering face while stepping out of home has been mandatory in the state. “We have also decided that Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla will start its OPDs as people were facing problem even though in a limited manner,” he said.

Dhiman said efforts were on to get nod from the Centre for starting corona testing facility at Ner Chowk Medical College in Mandi and at Institute of Himalayan Bio-technology (IHBT) at Palampur. So far tests were being undertaken at IGMC, Shimla, Tanda Medical College, Kangra and at Central Research Institute, Kasauli.

He also said that today 109 samples had been sent for testing out of which one was positive. Out of a total of 1,232 samples tested so far, 33 have been positive. Besides, 5,822 persons were kept under surveillance out of which 3,765 have completed the mandatory 28-day isolation period.

Corona Tracker

• Death 1
• Positive 33
• Active 15
• Discharged 12
• Samples tested 1,311
• Under surveillance 5,822
• 28-day quarantine completed 3,765