Himachal govt switches to five-day-a-week system for a month to prevent spread of COVID-19

After imposing night curfew, Himachal Pradesh government has now switched over to five-day-a-week system for employees for the next one month to prevent spread of COVID-19. The new system will come in force with effect from December 1 and last till December 31.

The employees have been asked to work from home on all working Saturdays. Employees with disabilities have been exempted from attending offices till December 31.

Attendance in all social, political, and religious gatherings across the state has also been restricted to 50 people.

The decision came at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur in Shimla on Saturday.

The timings of night curfew in Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu has now been altered from 9 pm to 6 am. Earlier it was from 8 pm to 6 am.

"Not more than 50 people will be allowed at a social gathering, be it a wedding, political rally or religious congregation as such gatherings have been found to be the biggest cause of COVID-19 spread,” said the Chief Minister.

He added that the limit of 50 would be applicable to any function whether indoors or outdoors. Earlier, the limit was 100 for indoor venues, and 200 for outdoors.

An official spokesperson of the state government informed that here was no shortage of oxygen at any hospital and its supply would be augmented at all health institutions.

"Additional staff would be recruited through outsourcing, be it in case of nurses, ward boys or other paramedics. The bed capacity, too, will be augmented across the state so that in case of a requirement, COVID-19 patients can be accommodated. Private health institutions would also be roped in for the purpose," he said.