Punjab government on Sunday imposed additional restrictions throughout the state due to surging Covid-19 cases till May 15.
All shops selling non-essential items will remain closed till May 15. A spokesperson said that essential items including chemist shops and shops dealing with supply of essential goods, milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy and poultry products like eggs, meat, mobile repair, etc, have been exempted from Covid restrictions however subject to adherence of Covid protocols. There will be no restriction on laboratories, nursing homes and all other medical establishments.
The daily night curfew from 6pm to 5am and weekend curfew from 6pm on Friday upto 5am on Monday throughout the state will continue and no vehicle to ply except for medical purposes.
The spokesperson further informed that nobody can enter the state whether by air, rail or road, without a negative Covid report which is not more than 72 hours old or a vaccination certificate (at least one dose) that is over 2 weeks old.
All government offices as well as banks will work at 50% strength other than those where officials are involved in Covid management, said the spokesperson adding that the Deputy Commissioners are authorised to draft services of any official for Covid management and related duties.
All four-wheeler passenger vehicles, including cars and taxis, are not allowed to seat more than 2 passengers. However, vehicles carrying patients to hospitals exempted. The number in public transport (buses, taxis, autos) has been restricted to 50% of the capacity.
Similarly, no pillion riders are allowed on scooters and motorcycles except those belonging to the same family and living in the same house. No gathering of more than 10 persons to be allowed including for weddings/cremations/funerals.
The spokesperson said that the villages have been asked to organise Thikri Pehras to ensure that ‘Night Curfew’ and ‘Weekend Curfew’ Orders are complied with and social distancing to be maintained in Sabzi Mandis, which would be open only to fruit and vegetable wholesalers.
Kisan Unions and Religious leaders are also urged to not hold gatherings and restrict number of protestors to token presence at toll plazas, petrol pumps, malls, etc. The order further reads that the religious places to be closed at 6 pm daily.
The district administration will ensure strict action against those found hoarding Oxygen Cylinders etc.
The spokesperson said that all bars, cinema halls, gyms, spas, swimming pools, coaching centres, sports complexes to remain closed while all restaurants (including in hotels), cafes, coffee shops, fast food outlets, dhabas, etc, to also remain closed for dine-in. They may function only for take-away and home delivery, which is allowed till 9pm. No seating inside restaurants, fast food joint, coffee shops, etc to be allowed, he added.
All weekly markets (such as apni-mandis) will also remain closed and there shall be a complete ban on all social, cultural or sports gatherings and related functions, including government functions, such as inaugurations, foundation stone laying ceremony, etc, unless prior permission of Deputy Commissioner has been obtained.
There shall be a complete ban across the state on all political gatherings. For any violation of these orders, FIRs will be registered against the organisers and participants as well as against the owners of the venue and the tent houses under the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemic Diseases Act besides sealing such venues for 3 months.
Persons who have attended large gatherings anywhere (religious/ political/social) to be mandatorily home quarantined for 5 days and tested as per protocol. All educational institutions ie schools and colleges to remain closed but the teaching and non-teaching staff of government schools to attend duty.
However, all the medical and nursing colleges may continue to remain open and all recruitment exams to be postponed, unless it relates to recruitment of Covid management related manpower.
Similarly, all private offices, including service industry, such as offices of architects, chartered accountants, insurance companies etc., allowed to ‘work from home’ only.
In government offices – health/ frontline workers and employees over 45 years who have not got at least one Covid vaccine dose in last 15 days or more, should be encouraged to take leave and stay home until then. Employees under 45 years to be allowed only on basis of negative RT-PCR not more than 5 days old or else should take leave and stay home.
