5- days week & 50 pc attendence new Covid curbs in Himachal

To contain sudden spike in Covid-19 cases and increasing threat of Omicron variant, Himachal Pradesh government today issued further curbs on the attendence in the offices to 50 percent and directing  departments to follow five days week, a notification issued by the Chief Secretary cum Chairman of State Executive Committee ( SEC ) Mr Ram Subhag Singh said.
It would be implemental in countince to similar notification of Jan 5 and 8  that all the offices of Government Departments, Public sector unit, local bodies,  Autonomous Bodies including the H.P. Secretariat would remain closed on Saturdays & Sundays ( 5 working days a week ) and these offices would operate with the 50 per cent attendance in working days .
 Notification would not be applicable on  those offices which are imparting  emergency or essential services such as health , police , fire , banks , electricity , water & sanitation , public transport , telecom , Excise , Budget and related incident services,  activities etc
 HODs controlling officers should issue roster order accordingly.
Himachal Pradesh High Court would issue separate orders with respect to the  High Court and all other judicial offices . 
Beside this all social and religious gatherings shall be completely banned in the state . 
Other gatherings, congregations like academic, sports, entertainment, cultural political are permitted up to 50 per cent of the capacity , subject to maximum of 100 persons in indoor built up or covered areas and in open spaces or outdoor areas permitted up to 50 pc of the capacity .
 Prior intimation of gatherings shall be given to the District or  Sub Divisional Administration and local administration can impose additional conditions upon the organizers , as deemed fit , in context of local COVID situation .
 There should be strict observance of COVID – 19 appropriate behavior and safety protocols during these congregations and gatherings.
Along with Religious Places or Places of worship there would be total ban on Langar or community kitchens or dhaams in all places in the state . 
 For fixing the timings of the shops or markets or staggering schedule of their openings or closing , respective District Magistrates are authorized to take decision on this behalf after taking note of COVID – 19 situations and specific requirements of their districts.
 District Administration should be competent to deploy any government employee who are otherwise not performing any duties or not coming to their offices because of the directions by any authority , and depute them for any duty relating to vaccination , surveillance , monitoring of persons under home isolation , manning the check posts , making data entry or monitoring , calling home isolated patients , etc.
 as per requirements to contain the spread of pandemic all the Departments and Organisations of the Government , District Magistrates , Police Officials and Local Authorities of the State are directed to ensure strict compliance with the directions of the SEC and various SOPs issued . 
District Magistrates , Superintendents of Police would take adequate measures to implement these orders with the support of all the Panchayat Raj Institution and Urban Local Bodies in letter and spirit .