Haryana govt relaxes Covid restrictions; cinema halls, multiplexes to open with 50 pc seating capacity

Chandigarh, Jan 28: The Haryana Government on Friday relaxed Covid-19 restrictions in the state as it allowed all cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes to operate with 50 per cent seating capacity.

"All cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes are allowed to open with 50 per cent seating capacity while adopting requisite social distancing norms, regular sanitisation and Covid-19 appropriate behavioural norms," a statement from the government said.

As per the earlier order issued by the Haryana State Disaster Management Authority (HSDMA) on January 5, cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes shall remain closed. Friday's order also said, "Universities, colleges, schools (for classes 10 to 12), polytechnics, Industrial Training Institutes, coaching institutions, libraries, training institutes, both government and private, are allowed to open from February 1 for physical classes."

Education Minister Kanwar Pal had said on Tuesday schools for classes 10 to 12 will reopen in the state from February 1. The Haryana government had earlier this month suspended physical classes in all schools amid the surge in COVID-19 cases. The educational institutions will have to adopt requisite social distancing norms, regular sanitisation and Covid appropriate behavioural norms, the fresh order said. "Concerned institutions may advise all the students of age group more than 15 years to have at least first dose of vaccination (against Covid), while attending physical classes," it said.

Notably, various restrictions imposed by the January 5 order of the HSDMA in some districts, which had witnessed a big spike in cases, were imposed in all districts later. Many other restrictions had on Wednesday been extended till 5 am of February 10. Earlier on January 10, the Haryana government had banned large gatherings of people such as rallies and protests. All sports complexes, swimming pools, gyms and stadia shall remain closed except when being used for training of sportspersons for participation in national and international events, the earlier order had said.

It has to be noted that a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am is already in force in the state. PTI