Shimla, Aug 20
In wake of growing COVID-19 infection cases, Himachal Pradesh Government today decided to continue to extend closing of School however it did not bar political/public gatherings/events in the state. A notification issued by the disaster management state executive committee led by the Chief Secretary here today said that all schools shall continue to remain close, except residential schools. The order would be effective up to Aug 28, 2021. Notification mentioned that the teaching and non-teaching staff should continue to attend schools.
For residential schools, SOPs developed by the Department of Education to contain the spread of COVID-19 to be mandatory. Online classes of School and colleges are continue for the upcoming academic year.
Notification said that violation will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provision of Section 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides entailing legal action under
Section 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable.
This order would come into effect immediately and shall remain in force till further orders.
Just a day ahead of BJP’s ongoing political yatra, administration issued notification to ease out the restriction partly on movement of people and vehicles across borders on August 18
However, the notification issued on August 20 stated that the decision to continue with closure of schools has been taken in wake of the present situation of COVID-19 active cases and positivity rate in the State.
Though the administration warned stern actions on anyone violating restrictions or not following COVID appropriate behavior but it is unlikely that violation in Political congregations and public meetings may be taken seriously as political/public events/meetings are unaffected by any of such notifications.
