Chandigarh schools continue to work in hybrid manner; know other curbs
Chandigarh, February 18: With the number of Covid cases exhibiting a downward trend, the Chandigarh administration on Thursday removed all the restrictions implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19, with exception of a few.
Lifting the restrictions, the administration directed all the citizens to wear masks in public places like streets, hospitals, offices and markets.
The gathering of 200 people for an indoor event and 500 people for an outdoor event has been permitted. However, the total number of persons shall not exceed 50 percent of the capacity in both indoor and outdoor gatherings, said the order issued on Thursday.
According to the notification, schools and coaching institutions will continue to function in hybrid mode, i.e online and offline mode.
Meanwhile, UT administrator Banwari Lal Purohit ordered the shutdown of mini Covid care centres for the time being on Thursday. The centres were established for patients who did not have enough space or resources at home for treatment or quarantine.
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The measure was taken after a Covid war room meeting headed by Chandigarh Administrator to review the pandemic situation in the city.
Following the meeting, the OPD timings have now been increased and Mini Covid Care centres have been shut down. PGIMER's OPD hours, which were previously only open for one hour, have also been increased. Due to the decline in Coronavirus cases, Purohit decided to lift more of the restrictions in the city.
The administrator also urged the residents to “be vigilant and not to lower their guard," citing this meeting as the last war room as of now. He also emphasised strictly following social distancing protocols and wearing masks in public places.
Talking about the third wave of the Covid pandemic, Dr Suman Singh, director, health services, Chandigarh, said that “The third wave of the pandemic is over, as the cases have drastically dipped since the second week of January. But people must not get complacent. They should continue to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour in public, as the infection is still around and is very lethal for the vulnerable population, including aged and comorbid people.”
Earlier, restrictions on the tourism and hospitality sectors were also lifted in the UT. The Chandigarh Bird Park and Rock Garden were reopened, while all restrictions at markets, apni mandis, malls, restaurants, hotels, bars, cinema halls, multiplexes, museums, sports complexes, swimming pools, gyms, spas and health centres were eased.
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-PTC News
