Shimla: Noting a significant improvement in Corona conditions, Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday announced major steps to partially unlock certain activities, including opening of shops, business outlets and facilitating return of those struck outside the state.
On a humanitarian aspect, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur decided to relax the curfew hours from 5.30 am to 7 am from Sunday onwards to facilitate senior citizens and others for morning walks.
The timing could be 6 am to 7.30 am for those living in capital town of Shimla, where cold conditions still persist, said Thakur.
Earlier to this, he held a meeting with all Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Chief Medical Officers through video conference to review the situation and take inputs from the districts.
There are only 15 active Corona positive patients in the hospitals, of total 40 tested positive so far.
Another major relief which state government announced relates to relaxation of curfew for four hours instead of the existing three hours from Monday. This would not only ensure social distancing but also minimum crowding in the shops.
Thakur admitted "curfew and lockdown has adversely affected the economy of the state. It is vital to chalk out an appropriate action plan to revive the economic activities post lockdown from May 3 onwards." The state government also ordered opening of the shops and business establishments except shopping malls, multi-brand, single-brand showrooms, liquor shops, restaurants and barbar (saloons) shops.
The government also arranged return of those stranded in Delhi, Chandigarh and other places, and they were desperate to come back. There will be, however, restrict health checks at the borders, and those coming will have to go into home quarantine.
Only on Friday, the government had sent nine HRTC buses to bring 105 students from Kota, Rajasthan.
Last night six buses were also arranged to facilitate return of Kashmiri Muslim labourers from Shimla upto Lakhanpur borders at Jammu.
Asserting use of masks as mandatory, Director General of police S R Mardi asked the shop keepers to put up notices "no mask, no ration" or bankers can also display "No mask, no service."