Bilaspur: The district administration has imposed a night curfew in the district in view of the spiking COVID-19 cases. They have put forth new guidelines to curb the spread. Operating hours for merchant establishments are established. Collector Saransh Mitter has warned of stringent action against violating the order.

All types of permanent and temporary shops are issued a time frame from 6 am to 9 pm to operate, beyond which they will face heavy penalties. While restaurants/hotels are allowed to work from 8 am to 10 pm, especially the indoor dining restaurant/hotels. Dhabas are only allowed to serve take-away and home delivery till 11.30 pm. Besides, petrol pumps and medical stores will be free from the above control.

A total of 23,576 cases have been found in the Bilaspur district so far, out of which 22,322 patients have recuperated. The number of active patients stands at 1027. So far, 227 people have died in the district owing to the novel virus.