Amid rising Covid-19 cases, the Chandigarh Administration on Thursday decided to clamp night curfew, shut educational institutes and allow cinema halls to operate with 50 per cent capacity to arrest the spread of the infection.  The Union Territory on Thursday reported 331 new coronavirus positive cases, the highest single-day rise after several months.

According to a statement released by the administration, the movement of people for all the non-essential activities will remain prohibited from 10 pm to 5 am. However, essential activities including emergency services, medical health, transport of essential goods, operation of multiple shifts in industries, offices and travel of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and Airplanes will be permitted.

Banwarilal Purohit, Administrator, UT Chandigarh took this decision after reviewing the measures in place to control the contagion, with the senior UT administrative officers.

It was further decided that all the educational institutions including schools, colleges, universities, coaching institutions etc. shall remain closed. However, these institutions will maintain the academic schedule through online teaching. However, medical and nursing colleges may continue to function normally in offline mode.

Government offices will function with physical attendance of 50 per cent capacity of actual strength with regard to Group C and D staff. The rest of the 50 per cent staff would be required to work from home. All Private offices will also function with 50 per cent staff and rest would be required to work from home. All Bars, Cinema Halls, Multiplexes, Malls, Restaurants, Spas, Museums,etc. shall be allowed to operate at 50 per cent of their capacity subject to all staff present being fully vaccinated.