Shimla: In view of the increasing Covid-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur-led government on Thursday imposed a ban on community feasts during marriages and other celebrations besides directing that social gatherings at marriages and other celebrations would be restricted to only 20 people.


The state government post a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister also decided that all educational institutions and temples would be closed till May 10. It was also decided that the government offices would operate for five days a week with 50 percent of Class III and IV employees.


READ: Uttarakhand Suspends Char Dham Yatra For 2021 Amid Spiralling Covid Cases


Chief Minister Thakur on his part said that steps would be taken to increase bed capacity, especially in districts such as Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Una and Sirmaur.


He further said the testing capacity would be enhanced in the state, adding the time for getting test reports would be reduced.


The government also decided that people entering the state would have to remain under home isolation for 14 days and give information regarding their arrival to the local authorities besides the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.


READ: Covid Victim’s Body Carried In Garbage Vehicle To Crematorium; Himachal CM Thakur Orders Inquiry


This comes as Himachal Pradesh recorded 3,040 new Covid-19 cases, 1,241 recoveries and 40 deaths in the past 24 hours.