Local traders body announces 3-day shut down in Shimla

Shimla: Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed 'Janata Curfew', massive action has begun in Himachal Pradesh to close down business, markets, hotels, restaurants and cut down staff attendance in government offices by at least 50 per cent.

Shimla Beopar Mandal—local traders body has announced a three-day shut down in Shimla, state capital but exempted essential services and supplies like milk and vegetables.

The Himachal Pradesh run HPTDC has also decided to close down all its hotels and restaurants across the state.

Tourists staying in the state were made to vacate the hotels. The entry of tourists vehicles and other private passenger transport vehicles was stopped at entry points of the state.

The government, however, could not decide on trimming down ongoing Vidhan Sabha session. "We will take a call after consultations with the central government as the Parliament was also in session," said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

Thakur held an all-party meeting and decided to go on an active mode to imposed restrict preventive measures, ordered filing of FIRs against those not agreeing to undergo tests or get quarantined despite symptoms of Coronavirus.

Four FIRs were registered on Saturday, one of these against 63-year old positive coronavirus woman admitted at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College,Tanda (Kangra) and a Solan couple, which had returned from Indonesia.

The state government has decided to identify and quarantine 51 persons, who had come in direct contact with two coronavirus cases, which were detected positive in Kangra district.

The state government today ordered the postponement of the examinations and practicals scheduled up to March 31, till further orders.

All evaluation and related activities scheduled up to March 31, was deferred.

"All teaching staff at all levels would not attend the respective educational institutions till March 31, and are advised to stay at home. Only staff or teacher/headmasters/principals assigned administrative work would attend office and also comply with the general instructions issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department," said education minister Suresh Bhardwaj here.

The government ordered 50 per cent attendance of Class III and IV employees in the offices, and of all workers in industrial establishments in the state on a given day. There will be staggering of duties on alternate days, and also the timing of arrival and leaving office to prevent overcrowding.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister said duration of "Janta curfew" has been extended up to 24 hours from 7 am on March 22 to 7 am on March 23