Punjab CM orders strict lockdown on weekends and public holidays

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered a strict lockdown on the weekends and public holidays, with movement to be restricted to e-passes holders. Meanwhile, all the citizens, except medical staff and essential service providers, would be required to download e-passes from the COVA app, the Chief Minister directed at a Video Conference meeting to review the pandemic situation in the state. However, the Industry will be allowed to function normally on all days, said the Chief Minister, asking the DGP Dinkar Gupta to ensure strict implementation of these directives to prevent the gathering of large crowds. The Chief Minister also said that such tough measures were necessitated on account of the spiralling coronavirus cases across the world. The stringent curbs could help delay the peak for as long as possible, he added. He pointed out that with no early vaccine or treatment in sight, strict protocols are the only way to fight the pandemic. The Chief Minister also asked the medical and health experts to consider the imposition of strict conditions, including mandatory testing certification, for entrants from Delhi, where the situation had assumed alarming proportions. On average, 500-800 vehicles are coming to Punjab from the national capital every day, the DGP informed the meeting. https://www.facebook.com/ptcnewsonline/videos/264967108079386/ Also read | No proposal to re-open schools till corona-pandemic lasts: Punjab The Chief Minister also suggested that since it normally takes 3-4 days for the virus to show up, those coming from outside should be tested after a week. In the meantime, they should be strictly asked to home quarantine themselves. He also directed the DGP to ensure the strict implementation of the home quarantine. -PTC News