Himachal Pradesh issues new COVID guidelines amid overcrowding at hill stations

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Himachal Pradesh (Image: Pixabay)
Himachal Pradesh (Image: Pixabay)

Shimla : A day after Central government raised concern over overcrowding at hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, the state cabinet has issued fresh guidelines asking the local authorities to ensure that COVID protocols are being followed by the people.

In a meeting headed by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the cabinet relaxed further norms and allowed gathering of up to 200 people in closed spaces; in open areas 50% capacity can be occupied.

It also decided to recommend to the Governor to convene the monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha from August 2 to August 13.

Important decisions taken during the meeting:

1. It gave its consent to bring children who lost both parents in the pandemic, under the ambit of Mukhya Mantri Bal Uddhar Yojna, enabling them to provide additional monthly assistance of Rs 1,500.

2. The Cabinet gave consent to increase the additional honorarium of the Accredited Social Health Activist (Asha) workers from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,750 per month. This would benefit 7,964 workers.

3. Also, the Cabinet decided that in order to implement the new education policy, question papers for Class III, V and VIII will be set by the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education and the marking and results would be declared at cluster, block and district level, respectively.

4. It granted six weeks’ exemption in school internship in respect of diploma in elementary education for 2018-2020 batch.

5. It was decided the schools would remain closed for students till further orders and online study would continue as usual.

6. A decision was taken to promote first-year and second-year students of graduation to next class.

7. The new and renewal of admissions would start in the colleges in the last week of July and the academic year would commence from August 16.