<span style="color: #222222;">In Himachal Pradesh, the State Cabinet has decided to increase the timing of opening of all shops and markets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from 14th of this month with weekend shutdowns to remain in force following the continuous decline in fresh COVID cases, mortality and positivity rate. However, Corona curfew will continue from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. till further orders.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The decision was taken in a State Cabinet meeting held  under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur after reviewing the COVID-19 situation of the state in Shimla today.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">On the other hand, Section 144 has been lifted in the state and there will be no need for RT-PCR test to enter the state. Intra-state public transport has also been allowed with 50 per cent occupancy.  It was also decided in the meeting that the offices where the staff strength is 75 and above, those offices will function with 50 per cent staff from 14th of June.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">All the Medical Colleges, Ayurvedic and Dental Colleges would remain open from 23rd of June. Pharmacy and Nursing Schools to open from 28th of June. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Cabinet provided a relief of about 40 crore rupees to the transport sector one of the worst hit sector by the pandemic which include an Interest Subvention Scheme on working capital for stage carriage operators.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the state, the Cabinet decided to conduct examinations of Graduate and Shastri final year from next month as per SoPs issued by UGC. It was also decided to hold the examinations of Graduate 1st and 2nd year after the final examinations are over. The Cabinet also decided to start the academic session for the year 2021-22 for graduation classes from 1st week of August this year.</span><br />''  <br />