As COVID-19 cases continue to rise rapidly across the country including in Punjab, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday ordered stricter restrictions including extension of night curfew timings (8 pm to 5 am), 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. The stricter restrictions will come into force from Tuesday.
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. An official release said that gatherings of more than 20 persons, including for weddings/cremations, have also been banned across the state. Prior approval of the district administration will be needed for all gatherings of more than 10 persons, except for cremation.
The new restrictions, which also include 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, directing the Police department to strictly enforce the restrictions, taking support of civil society organisations where needed.
Chairing a high-level virtual meeting to review the COVID situation in the state. The chief minister also ordered that all people flying into Punjab should have a negative RT-PCR. 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) to be mandatorily home quarantined for 5 days and tested as per protocol.
The Chief Minister asked the transport department to restrict the number of people in buses, taxis and autos to 50 percent of the capacity. In a bid to check inbound travellers, the Chief Minister also directed that Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) testing booths should be set up at bus stands and railway stations.
The Chief Minister ordered the postponement of the recruitment exams for Patwaris and directed for Medical Education department to hold online examination for first, second and third-year MBBS / BDS /BAMS and first year nursing students. The Chief Minister reiterated his appeal to all religious, social and political leaders to desist from organising large gatherings. And motivate people for COVID-appropriate behaviour, especially wearing of masks and avoiding gatherings.
While reviewing the situation in private and government hospitals. The Chief Minister directed 75 per cent reservation of L-3 facilities in all private hospitals providing critical Covid care. He said that no elective surgeries should be conducted in any government or private hospitals till May 15. All OPD patients must undergo testing.
The 104 Helpline shall function 24X7 to provide information on bed availability in government and private hospitals. A committee will strictly monitor oxygen requirement and availability ensured for both government and private hospitals by a committee. The containment / micro-containment strategy left to the Deputy Commissioners to decide.
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