The State Government in the wake of sharp surge in number of covid-19 cases, decided to impose complete ban on community feast (Dham) during the marriages and other celebrations in the State. This was decided in a high level meeting held here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to review the covid-19 situation in the State.Chief Minister said that sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in the State was a matter of concern and State Government was making all out efforts to curb spread of this pandemic by taking few stringent steps. He said that Government had also decided to restrict social gatherings during marriages etc. upto 20 persons. He said that all the educational institutions in the State would remain closed till 10th May. He said that all the temples would also remain closed for devotees till 10th May. He said that all the government offices would have five day week and 50 percent of total employees of Class-III and Class-IV categories would be ensured in the government offices till 10th May.Jai Ram Thakur said that steps would be taken to increase bed capacity particularly in heavy load districts such as Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Una, Sirmaur etc. He said that testing capacity would be enhanced in the State and the time for getting test report would be reduced. He said that effective mechanism would be evolved to check and regulate entry of people visiting the State from other parts of the country.
He said that the people coming from other parts of the country would have to remain under home isolation for 14 days and also give information regarding their arrival to the local authorities as well as elected representatives of PRIs and ULBs.Chief Minister said that vaccination campaign would be further geared up in the State and till date over 16,65,481 people have been vaccinated. He said that in order to ensure optimum utilization and mobilization of resources, the State Government had also constituted four committees. He said that the Logistic Committee headed by Arindam Chaudhary, Managing Director, HP State Electronic Development Corporation would monitor availability oxygen and plan for creation of additional bed capacity whereas Covid-19 patients/ambulance management committee headed by Dr. Rajesh Thakur, SSO, NHM would ensure creation of triage space at all facilities, ensure proper inter district movement of patients etc. He said that the Corporate Social Responsibility Coordination/Contribution Committee headed by Abid Hussain, Director Urban Development would mobile corporate and CSR contributions to HP SDMA Covid-19 Fund and also coordinate with all prospective donors and industrial associations. He said that Media /IEC Committee has also been constituted headed by Dr. Nipun Jindal, Managing Director NHM would disseminate up to date data and correct information to media besides eliminate information gap at all levels.Jai Ram Thakur urged the Union Health Minister to provide 5000 D-Type oxygen cylinders and 3000 B-Type oxygen to ensure that there was no dearth of oxygen in the State.Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Additional Chief Secretaries, R.D. Dhiman and J.C. Sharma, Secretary Health Amitabh Awasthi and other senior officers attended the meeting.