No mask, no entry to Himachal govt offices; can’t board buses

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 12

Himachal will follow the “No mask, no service” policy to ensure that people without a face cover are denied entry to government or private establishments and not allowed to board public or private transport.

The Disaster Management Cell of the Revenue Department issued the order in this regard today. Strict guidelines have been issued following the decision of the Cabinet to prevent the entry of people from seven high load states without a negative RT-PCR report into Himachal. The visitors will have to carry a negative report not older than 72 hours from an ICMR-recognised centre.

Another interesting aspect of the new guidelines is to keep the elected representatives of the panchayati raj institutions (PRI) in the loop about any event to ensure that the SOPs are being adhered to. All office- bearers of the PRIs and urban local bodies have been asked to ensure wearing of masks, social distancing, home isolation and public gatherings are being held as per norms.

A complete ban has been imposed on melas, langars, bhandaras at temples and shrines though pilgrims will be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum for offering prayers. There is a limit of a maximum of 200 persons in open spaces and 50 per cent of the capacity indoors with a maximum up to 50 persons permitted at social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political gatherings. No such activity would be allowed in containment zones.

The organisers of any function or events will be liable to be prosecuted or fined in case of violations of the norms.

Prior permission will have to be sought from the district administration for holding a dham or langar as part of community kitchen. However, the RT-PCR test of the caterers and mangers providing the service will be mandatory and the cooking will be done wearing masks, gloves and a head cover. However, no langars will be allowed indoors.

The thrust of the fight against Covid would be test-track-treat. This will include aggressive testing and tracking Covid-positive persons so that timely isolation and medical treatment is provided. The respective district administration and concerned department have been directed to ensure strict complain ace of these orders.

Negative RT-PCR test report mandatory

Strict guidelines have been issued following the decision of the Cabinet to prevent the entry of people from seven high load states without a negative RT-PCR test report into Himachal

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