Lockdown and curfew extended till May 3 in Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: After the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend nationwide lockdown till May 3, Himachal Pradesh has also extended the curfew for the same period and has made wearing face masks mandatory for the people stepping out of their homes. As per the decision no one in the state would be allowed to venture out of their homes without wearing face masks. After reviewing the situation on April 20, state government will decide on giving relaxation in some areas.
Additional chief secretary (health) R D Dhiman while addressing media persons on Tuesday said that to ensure the smooth functioning of departments involved in the movement of essential services it has been decided that all the administrative secretaries will attend the offices with skeletal staff.
In an order issued, Dhiman said that it has come to the notice of government that different types of spray tunnels are being developed and installed at various locations. He said that as advisory issued by WHO states that spraying disinfectants like alcohol chlorine all over the body does not kill the virus rather it can be harmful for clothes or mucous membranes.
The order said that hypochlorite solution is recommended for disinfection of surfaces and instruments. Moreover, the infection tunnels will create a false sense of security and people may be diverted from hand wash to disinfectant tunnels, it said while recommending that disinfection tunnel should not be installed and used on human beings.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday interacted with doctors, para- medical staff and sanitary workers and thanked them for providing efficient services to Corona Virus patients undergoing treatment.
He was interacting with the doctors, para-medical staff and sanitary workers of Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda in Kangra district and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Ner Chowk, district Mandi through video conferencing from Shimla. These three medical colleges had treated the initially cases of COVID-19. These doctors and para-medical staff and sanitary workers are now under quarantine.
Later, Jai Ram Thakur interacted through Skype with ASI Chintamani posted at Kuddu barrier and ASI Lokender posted at Nerwa in Shimla district. He also interacted with Head Constable Ashu Agarwal posted in Sirmaur district and SHO Parwanoo Inspector Ravinder Kumar rendering his services at Parwanoo barrier.
Jai Ram Thakur appreciated the services being provided by them for keeping vigil during the curfew imposed to corona pandemic. He also urged them to ensure their proper safety.