Punjab CM Amarinder Singh
The Punjab government has ordered "stricter lockdown" in the state on weekends and public holidays amid the coronavirus crisis. Movement allowance will be only for e-pass holders. All citizens, except medical staff and essential service providers, would be required to download e-passed from the COVA app. Industries, however, will be allowed to function normally on all days, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said.The state is also likely to impose stricter curbs on people coming from Delhi.
"On an average, 500-800 vehicles are coming to Punjab from the national capital everyday. A decision on stricter curbs on those coming from Delhi will be taken after a review by the experts," a statement from the Punjab Chief Minister's Office read.
The chief minister has asked Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta to ensure strict implementation of the directives to prevent gathering of large crowds. Singh said such tough measures were necessitated on account of the spiralling COVID-19 cases in the state and across the world. He was of the view that stringent curbs would delay the peak for as long as possible, also pointing out that with no early vaccine or treatment for coronavirus in sight, strict protocols were the only way to fight the pandemic.
The chief minister said that many of those who had come from outside had behaved irresponsibly and not reported to health authorities. He suggested that since it normally takes 3-4 days for the virus to incubate, those coming from outside should be tested after a week and in the meantime asked to remain in home-quarantine.
He also directed the DGP to ensure strict implementation of home-quarantine. The DGP informed that 550 flying squads of the Punjab Police were enforcing these rules.
At least 82 cases and four deaths have been reported from Punjab today. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state has increased to 2887, including 569 active cases.
Meanwhile, CM Amarinder Singh has urged Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan for additional allocation of 14144 MT of wheat, along with 1414 MT of pulses, for 2 months for distribution to migrant labourers/poor non-National Food Security Act beneficiaries.
