New Delhi, May 5 (IANS): With increasing number of Covid-19 in and around, the Ghaziabad administration on Tuesday extended Section 144 coupled with restrictions similar to lockdown prohibitions, in the city till May 31.

The extension has been ordered in wake of rising Covid-19 cases and upcoming Eid festival, an order by Ghaziabad DM said.

With the order, all public events like cultural, religious, political, sports programmes and rallies will remain prohibited till May 31.

"For any marriage ceremony or funeral procession, prior permission will be required," the order said.

The order repeated the guideline that suggested people aged above 65 and below 10, pregnant women, as well as people with high-risk individuals, to stay at home until and leave residence only in emergency situations.

"For permitted activities, people can move around between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.," it said.A

It also added that salons, spas, malls, movie theatres, gyms, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, etc will remain closed, while no one is allowed to stand on streets and lanes in groups.

"Spitting in public places will be punishable by fine, going out without a face cover will also be a punishable offence, all religious places will remain closed and assembly of five or more people in any public space is prohibited," the order added.

All educational institutions will also remain closed in Ghaziabad.