Covid surge: Temples in Kangra to close from April 23

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, April 20

Owing to increase in coronavirus cases in Kangra district in the last few days the district administration has imposed stricter regulations.

Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati while addressing a press conference on Monday evening said temples in Kangra district would be closed for pilgrims and devotees from April 23.

Kangra district has famous temples as Jawalamukhi temple, Brijeshwari Devi temple and Chamunda Devi that received thousands of devotees during Navaratras. The deputy commissioner said the temples would be closed down till further orders for devotees.

Read: Himachal government restricts wedding parties to 50, imposes 5-day workweek as it deals with rising COVID cases

He said positivity rate in Kangra district had increased from 3 per cent to 13 per cent in April. He added that in April, 51 deaths have been reported due to coronavirus. Yesterday, 526 fresh cases were reported in Kangra and today the count is expected to go over 300, he said.

The DC added that due to it as per the directions of the state government, it has been decided to that all government and private offices would remain closed on weekends that it Saturday and Sunday. During the five week days also the government offices would operate with 50 per cent staff. General public has been barred from coming to government offices and has been requested to approach government offices online for regular works.

He said all pilgrims who have come from Kumbh mela and Varindavan Dham  in Uttarakhand and UP have been directed to remain in home isolation for a period of seven days. Thereafter, they would have undergo RTPCR test for coronavirus negativity. The panchayat pradhans have been directed to ensure the said condition.

The DC said there shall be no restriction on movement of people on state or inter-district borders. The tourists coming to hotels would not be stopped enroute. However, the staff of all hotels would be tested for Corona infection through RTPCR test every 15 days.

The DC said there would be no movement after 8 pm to 6 am for exempted categories that would be specified in detailed order.

For marriages gathering 50 persons has been allowed with prior permission from the respective sub divisional magistrate. The people would have to apply online for permissions to conduct marriages.

He said all areas where 5 or more cases of Corona are being reported would be declared as micro containment zones and anyone violating home isolation condition would be booked by police officials.