Punjab CM announces stricter curb; here's what's opened and closed?
Lockdown in Punjab? As coronavirus cases in Punjab continue to rise, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday ordered stricter restrictions beginning tomorrow, including the extension of night curfew timings in Punjab (8 pm to 5 am).
Besides night curfew timings in Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh announced the closure of all bars, cinema halls, Gyms, spas, coaching centres, sports complexes, with restaurants and hotels to be open only for takeaway and home delivery from Monday to Saturday.
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Rates for RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) by private labs have been reduced to Rs 450 and Rs 300 respectively (with additional charges for home collection of the samples), in a bid to promote increased testing.
Gatherings of more than 20 persons, including for weddings/cremations, have also been banned across the state, with prior approval of the district administration needed for all gatherings of more than 10 persons, except for cremation.
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The new restrictions, which also include the closure of all malls, shops, and markets on Sunday, coupled with the ones imposed earlier, will remain in effect till April 30, announced the Chief Minister. All weekly markets have also ordered to be shut down.
He also ordered that all people flying into Punjab should have a negative RT-PCR not more than 72 hours old, else they would have to undergo RAT testing at the airport.
He also ordered that people who have attended large gatherings anywhere (religious/ political/social) be mandatorily home quarantined for 5 days and tested as per protocol.
The Chief Minister directed the transport department that the number of people in buses/taxis and autos are restricted to 50% of the capacity.
The Chief Minister ordered the postponement of the recruitment exams for Patwaris and directed for Medical Education department to hold online examination for 1st, 2nd & 3rd year MBBS / BDS /BAMS and 1st year Nursing students.
The containment / micro-containment strategy was left to the DCs to decide, depending on the situation in their respective zones or areas. Though these curbs have not been named as lockdown in Punjab but people have started assuming it as a lockdown.
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