With the hill state witnessing decline in COVID-19 cases, Himachal Government on Tuesday decided to lift the night curfew imposed in four districts namely Shimla, Kangra, Mandi and Kullu in the state and to restore the six-day week schedule in government offices.
The cabinet meeting held under the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also decided to allow coaching classes in the state with 50 percent capacity. The State Education Department would issue a standard operating procedure in this regard.
It was on November 23 when the State Government had imposed night curfew in the four districts in view of increase in COVID-19 cases in Himachal.
Till Tuesday evening, the total COVID cases in the state stood at 55832 while the deaths reached 938. There were 1478 active cases in the state.
A spokesman of the State Government said that in wake of the COVID-19 scenario in the state, the cabinet has decided that the makeshift hospitals at IGMC Shimla, CHC Nalagarh and Dr Rajindra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda would be made functional by outsourcing of ward sisters, staff nurses, DEOs and class-IV for the time being, whereas medical officers would be arranged through fresh or direct walk-in-interviews and the proposal of HLL would be kept in abeyance depending upon the future COVID scenario.
The cabinet also passed a resolution thanking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Government of India for approving the Coronavirus vaccine for use in India, by taking a lead amongst the comity of nations in this regard.
The cabinet also thanked the scientists of the country for successful production of the vaccine as part of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Programme. The cabinet has congratulated Prime Minister for being adjudged as best and most popular leader worldwide for effective handling of COVID-19 pandemic in the country by American Data Firm Morning Consult in its recently held survey, the spokesman said.
On the request of the State Election Commission, the cabinet has relaxed the condition of allowing not more than 50 persons in an indoor meeting, so that the Commission could undertake its election related training programme effectively.
It also gave approval to start single window empanelment for registration of private hospitals for effective implementation of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Him Care Yojana and Government Medical Reimbursement Scheme in the state, the spokesman added.
During the meeting, a presentation was made by the Horticulture Department before the cabinet on a six months target till March 2021 and next one year’s target from April, 2021 to March, 2022.
HP GOVT ISSUES FRESH GUIDELINES RELATED TO COVID-19
Following the Cabinet meeting, the State Government on Tuesday issued fresh orders related to COVID-19 guidelines in the state. “There will be no restrictions regarding seating capacity in inter-state as well as intra-state buses. However, all COVID-19 related safety protocols shall be followed. Transport Department will issue necessary directions in this regard,” stated an order issued by Chief Secretary, Himachal.
The order stated that there will be no night curfew in districts namely Mandi, Shimla, Kullu and Kangra.
The restrictions regarding gatherings etc will not be applicable in regard to conduct of election related training subject to the SOPs issued by State Election Commission or respective Deputy Commissioner.
All private or government institutions or centres imparting coaching for the competitive examinations shall function at 50 percent capacity subject to adherence to the SOPs issued by the Education Department, the order stated.
These directions will remain in force till further orders, it stated.
