Himachal to cap gathering at 100

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 17

The Himachal Pradesh Government will soon issue a new protocol for scaled down social and political gatherings in view of the sudden spike in Covid cases and the high fatality rate.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. Senior bureaucrats confirmed that the attendance at social gatherings, including marriages, will once again be restricted to 100 instead of the present 200.

Strict restrictions will also be imposed on political gatherings, limiting the number of people to 100. Also, there will be a complete ban on offering flowers, caps, shawls or anything else to cut down physical contact. To ensure social distancing, only chairs, not sofas, will be allowed on the dais.

Himachal has been reporting about 600 to 700 Covid cases daily, raising concern over the transmission rate. All educational institutions have been closed till November 25.