Calling for `war-like preparedness’ to deal with the massive Covid spike in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered a series of emergency measures, including extension of weekend lockdown with daily night curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. in all the 167 cities/towns in the state from tomorrow 21st August.
He has also ordered a total ban on all gatherings except weddings and funerals
across the state till August 31. Government and private offices will work at
50% capacity till the end of this month, as per the directives issued by the
Chief Minister during a Video Conference meeting with top officials to review
the Covid situation in the state, which is witnessing a massive increase in
daily cases and an increase in deaths.
Captain Amarinder also directed the concerned officials to restrict public
visitors in government officials and to encourage the use of online grievance
redressal system, which has been significantly strengthened by the state
government to minimise in-person contact with hassle-free online engagement.
In the five worst affected districts of Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala
and SAS Nagar (Mohali), restrictions on vehicular capacity have been imposed
again, with buses and other public transport to operate with 50% capacity and
private four-wheelers not allowed to carry more than three passengers per
vehicle. The Chief Minister has also directed the DCs in these five
districts to allow only 50% of the non-essential shops to open on a daily basis
to check crowding.
“Enough is enough,” said Captain Amarinder, adding that “we need to be tough without affecting the state’s economic activity.” Pointing to the 920 Covid deaths reported in the state so far, he said “each death pains me, and the projections for the coming weeks are grim.”
The Chief Minister said the state is in an `health emergency’ situation, necessitating harsh measures, which might have to be further intensified in the coming days to curb the Covid spread. Though the cases were currently concentrated mainly in urban areas, rural areas were also witnessing an increase, he said, adding that if needed, travel restrictions may have to be imposed.
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