The Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government has ordered a statewide lockdown from tomorrow morning till March 31, 2020, as an emergency measure to tackle the worsening COVID-19 situation.
All essential services will be available during the shutdown, which will take effect from 6 a.m. on Monday and will remain in force till 9 P.M. on March 31.
Even as the Chief Minister appealed to all residents of Punjab to observe all health safeguards, especially frequently washing hands, and to avoid leaving their homes unless there is an acute emergency, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh clarified that there will be no curfew during the lockdown period but restrictions under Section 144 shall remain imposed, thus preventing more than 10 persons from getting together in a public space at any given time.
In addition to Electricity, Water and Municipal Services, Banks and ATMs, Print and Electronic Media including social media, Telecom/ Internet and Cable operators and concerned agencies, Postal services, courier services, essential IT services, along with E-Commerce and its home delivery, Shops of Food, Groceries, Milk, Bread, Eggs, Fruit, Vegetable, Meat, Poultry, Fish etc.(including departmental stores and supermarkets) and all other daily needs shall remain open. Restaurants/ bakeries, halwais, tea shops, eateries shall remain open for take-away or home delivery only (no seating or dine-in shall be permitted). Also, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Doctors, Vaids, Hakeems, Homeopaths, Chemist shops, Optical stores and Pharmaceuticals manufacturing, Petrol pumps, LPG gas, Oil agencies & godowns, petroleum refineries & depots, petrochemical products shall be exempt from the lockdown. Veterinary hospitals and gaushala will also be exempted from the lockdown.
The DCs of all the districts have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the restrictions. The Health Department made it clear that all persons are required to stay at home, and they may leave home only if necessary for obtaining essential services / items or for employment / duty.
To ensure strict implementation of the restrictions under Section 144, DGP Dinkar Gupta said extra forces were being deployed in all the districts. The police personnel shall take all precautions for their own safety and those of the people in whose contact they shall come during this period, he added.
“You can play the most vital role in preventing further transmission of the disease by not stepping out,” Captain Amarinder Singh said in his appeal to the people, adding that “During this period, all commercial establishments and shops shall remain closed except those dealing in essential commodities like food, grocery, medicines, etc. All essential services such as water supply, sanitation and electricity shall be maintained. Restrictions on public transport imposed earlier will continue till March 31st.”
