DW BUREAU / Chandigarh The Haryana government on Friday announced consolidated guidelines to contain the spread of COVID-19, ordering closure of schools, colleges and coaching institutes till April 30 and capping the number of attendees at gatherings and passengers in vehicles. All schools, colleges, coaching institutions, Industrial Training Institutes, libraries and training institutes, whether government-funded or private, shall remain closed in the state till April 30, officials said. Admission processes and other administrative work will continue in schools as before, they said.Earlier, schools had been closed till April 30 for students up to Class 8. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar made a televised address to the people of the state on Friday evening about the present COVID-19 situation. He assured there was no need to panic, but said there was a need for heightened caution as cases were rising. Meanwhile, in the consolidated guidelines, the state government said masks are mandatory in public places, and those found without face masks are to be fined Rs 500. Deputy Commissioners, wherever necessary, may impose section 144 of CrPC for enforcement of night curfew and other restrictions as required locally, according to the guidelines. Sanjiv Kaushal, Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, said the department has released an advance of Rs 10 lakh for every deputy commissioner in the state to enable them to take urgent measures for COVID-19 management. As per earlier directions, a maximum of 50 people will be allowed in indoor spaces, including cinemas, theatres, multiplexes, bars, restaurants, hotels, clubs and gyms. In open spaces, gatherings will be allowed with a maximum of 200 attendees. Taxi and cabs will be allowed to ply with a maximum of three passengers in addition to the driver, and auto and e-rickshaws with two persons in addition to the driver. One pillion rider will be allowed on a two-wheeler and masks, helmets and gloves are mandatory for both the persons. Manually-driven rickshaws shall carry not more than two passengers, the guidelines said. Movement in containment zones shall be allowed only for emergency vehicles and those of essential goods or services, it added. Buses will ply with 50 per cent capacity, and passengers need to be seated in marked seats only. Passengers intending to undertake interstate travel must carry their identity proofs and tickets, in physical form along with a photocopy of each, the advisory said. (editor@dailyworld.in)