Punjab COVID restrictions extended till May 31, CM orders strict enforcement of curbs
In a statement, the Punjab government said that Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered to extend the restrictions after viewing the Covid-19 situation in the state.
FollowChandigarh: The Punjab government has ordered extension of all existing restrictions due to coronavirus outbreak till May 31 amid a continuous rise in Covid-19 positivity rate in the state.
The curbs were earlier set to expire on May 17 but have been extended by two weeks with Punjab continuing to report high Covid positivity.
In a statement, the Punjab government said that Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered to extend the restrictions after viewing the Covid-19 situation in the state.
"DCs will continue to determine the opening of shops in a staggered manner," the Punjab government said, adding that the Covid-19-induced curbs will be strictly enforced by the officials this time.
The Punjab government had on May 3 imposed lockdown-like curbs in the state till May 15, ordering the closure of all non-essential shops in the state. However, it had allowed shops selling milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy and poultry products like eggs, meat to remain open in the state.
Banning gatherings of more than 10 people, the guidelines also stated all government, including banks, offices in Punjab can only operate with 50 per cent of their strength. All other private offices were asked to work from home.
Reviewing the state’s Covid situation at a high-level meeting, the Chief Minister said while the restrictions so far had shown results, with some decline in day-on-day positivity and cases coming down from around 9,000 to 6,000 in this period, there was need to extend the same in view of the high positivity of 13.1% as of the May 9-15 period, with CFR standing at 2.4%.
Singh also directed the district administrations to investigate complaints of fleecing of patients by some private hospitals, warning that these would be shut down if they continue to indulge in such practices. Such cases have to be strictly dealt with, he said, directing the police department to crack down on those found indulging in hoarding or black marketing of any Covid-related essentials or medicines.
The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the spread of the new fungal disorder associated with Covid. He stressed the need to increase surveillance for this disease as, if it is not treated early, it can cause severe complications. He also directed the health department to ensure that medicines to treat this disease are available with the state.
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