Himachal Pradesh- Night curfew in 4 districts, schools to remain closed, buses to run 50 percent capacity

Night curfew has been re implied in four districts of the State. In a cabinet meeting held here today, i was decided that in light of the number of growing Corona cases, Night curfew will be notified in Distt Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Kangra. The timing of the curfew shall remains 8 pm to 6 am, confirmed Suresh Bhardwaj, Urban development minister in statement to media. The said order shall be applicable from Nov 24 to December 15, 2020.

Also in meeting of CoM it was decided that Schools and colleges also remain closed till 31 December. Earlier they were to open on November 26.

However online classes shall continue from November 26, he added. Also school/college office shall continue to open, but teachers will have to work from home. He said that winter schools will remain closed January 1 to February12. Session would be extended in case of winter closing schools and students of classes 1^st to 4^th and classes 6^th and 7^th would be promoted as per the provision of RTE, 2009, he stated. As the students of the winter closing schools/ colleges would not be attending the classes, therefore winter vacation 2021-22 would be allowed to the teachers posted in winter closing institutions.

It was also decided that final examination for class 5^th and 8^th, 9^th &11^th would be conducted simultaneously for winter and summer closing schools in March 2021. Board Exams for 10^th and 12^th classes would be conducted in March 2021 together for winter and summer closing schools with 30 per cent relaxation in syllabus already carried out by HP Board of School Education.

He said that government offices will run with half manpower on rotation basis till 31st December. This shall be applicable for only Class III and Class IV employees.

Adding, All social gathering in open air(Only) shall be restricted to only 200 people. Also all buses to run on 50percent capacity till December 15.

It decided to hold the elections to the newly constituted Municipal Corporations of Mandi, Solan and Palampur with the elections of Dharamshala Municipal Corporation in the month of March/ April next year.

Yesterday CM JaiRam Thakur in a public function at Mandi had hinted that in case required restriction shall be implied back.

Though not confirmed so far, there is also speculation that the winter session of Vidhan Sabha to be held at Dharamshala could be postponed till March 2021. However on being asked the same the minister did not confirm and replied that a decision can be taken after an all party meeting.