There are 17,652 active COVID-19 cases in the state (File)
Except for Makar Sankranti's holy bath, all religious, commercial, and political gatherings are banned in Madhya Pradesh till further orders, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Friday.
All government and private schools and hostels from classes 1 to 12 shall remain closed in the state from January 15-31, in a bid to curb rising Covid cases.
A separate order will be issued by the state's education department regarding the pre-board exams which were scheduled to be held from January 20.
Though programs can be held inside halls, with 50 per cent less attendance than the seating capacity but no large gatherings are allowed. "No audience will be allowed during professional sports activities in the state," the order said.
The COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh rose to 8,14,473 on Thursday with the addition of 4,031 cases, while the death count increased to 10,543 after three more patients succumbed to the infection.
The state's positivity rate stood at 5.1 per cent as against 4.5 per cent on Thursday.
There are 17,652 active COVID-19 cases in the state.