Varanasi: Exercising powers under the Epidemic Act and National Disaster Management Act, district magistrate Varanasi Kaushal Raj Sharma has imposed restrictions in public places in the district following an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases. The restrictions would be effective from April 12 to April 30. According to the DM, all public parks and stadiums will remain closed after 4pm and will be opened at 6am. No one will be allowed to enter parks and stadiums after 4pm and before 6am. Similarly, movement of the general public at all the ghats have also been restricted during this period. Only priests engaged in Ganga aarti, boatmen and tourists intending boat ride, and people going for cremation will be exempted from the restriction. Tourists will not be allowed to stay at the ghats, they can pass through the ghats only for boat rides.