No mask, no entry into buses, trains

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 21

Concerned over the spread of Covid-19 cases, the state government today issued a fresh notification, imposing new restrictions to contain the pandemic.

As per the notification, people without a face cover or mask will be not be allowed to board public or private transport such as trains, buses and taxis. Wearing a mask will also be mandatory for entering hospitals, temples, langar halls, schools, colleges, government offices or private establishments for availing services.

All ongoing fairs in the state will be wound up by March 23 and no new fairs would be organised in the state thereafter. Moreover, no social, religious, political and cultural gatherings can be organised without the permission of the district administration after March 25. Only 50 per cent capacity of the venue to be allowed with a maximum limit of 200 persons.

The Department of IT/District Administration will activate the module for granting permission for gatherings as per SOPs of the State Election Commission (SEC) from March 25.

The managers and catering staff will be required to undergo tests through Rapid Antigen/RT kits for Covid-19 and cooking by non-tested staff will be prohibited on langars on closed premises.

The details of permissions granted for gatherings will be shared with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) apart from the officer incharge of police stations in the state. The office bearers of the PRIs/ULBs will ensure that the SOPs are adhered to and will also visit and coordinate with the event organisers prior to the event. Anyone violating these directions and Covid-19 safety measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC.

141 new cases reported

As many as 141 new Covid cases were reported on Sunday, taking the total positive cases in the state to 60,678. Meanwhile, one death in Kangra was reported due to the virus in the last 24 hours, taking the fatality figure to 1,005. As many as 29 cases were reported in Una, 23 in Kangra, 22 in Solan, 16 in Shimla, 13 in Bilaspur, 12 in Sirmaur, 11 in Hamirpur, 10 in Mandi, four in Kullu and one in Chamba.

COVID TEST MUST FOR CATERING STAFF

• No social, religious, political or cultural gathering can be organised without the permission of the district administration after March 25
• Only 50% capacity of the venue will be allowed with maximum limit of 200 people
• Managers and catering staff will be required to undergo test for Covid-19
• Cooking by non-tested staff to be prohibited for langars on closed premises