With a spike in COVID19 cases in the region of Punjab some vigorous action is being taken by politicians.
On Friday the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, called for massive state-wide restrictions to take effect Saturday calling for a complete shut down of educational institutions right until the end of the month. He also placed a restrictive order on malls and movie theatres.
Reviewing the prevailing Covid situation in the State with DCs, SSPs and other senior Health officials. There is an increasing surge of #Covid19 cases in Punjab. It is important that we all strictly follow wearing of masks and observe other safety precautions to save lives. pic.twitter.com/rBbhIbiiLr
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 19, 2021
All educational institutes outside of nursing colleges will be closed till March 31, cinema halls open to only half its capacity and no more than 100 people in a mall at any given time.
The CM has urged people to keep social activity in their houses to the bare minimum for the next two weeks to break the transmission chain. Not more than 10 visitors should be entertained in homes.
In the 11 worst-hit districts of Punjab there is a total ban on social gatherings and related functions, except for funerals/cremations/weddings, which will be allowed with only 20 people in attendance. The new order for weddings, cremations, and funerals takes place on Sunday.
These districts will remain under curfew from 9 pm to 5 am, the Chief Minister has ordered cinemas, multiplexes, restaurants and malls to remain closed on Sundays, though home deliveries will be allowed subject to night curfew. Industries and essential services will be allowed to function, but barring these, all restrictions will be strictly enforced.
We have decided to extend night curfew by 2 hours in 9 worst impacted districts by #Covid19 i.e. Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mohali, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala & Ropar. Curfew will be in force from 9 pm to 5 am. Urge all to wear masks and observe precautions.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 18, 2021
Starting next week, an hour of silence will be observed across the state every Saturday, from 11 am to noon, in memory of those who lost their lives to Covid.
In the 11 worst-affected districts of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mohali, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, SBS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar and Moga, the Chief Minister ordered restrictions on in-person public dealings in government offices with public to visit offices only for essential services.
Though other districts will not be placed under such strict restrictions for now, the Chief Minister ordered immediate reinforcement and monitoring of the strategy of micro-containment and containment zones where there are clusters. He made it clear that if necessary, strict rules would also be imposed in other districts if the situation worsens and Covid protocols and norms are not adhered to.
The Chief Minister said the situation would be reviewed after two weeks while meeting with officials.