After schools, Punjab shuts cinemas, gyms

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 14

A day after ordering closure of all educational institutes till March 31 in view of the Covid scare, the state government on Saturday shut down cinema halls, gyms and swimming pools till further orders in view of the Covid scare.

Besides, all public gatherings, including sports events, conferences, cultural events, fairs and exhibitions, have been banned till further orders.

As per an order issued by Principal Secretary (Health) Anurag Aggarwal, the decision was taken under the regulation notified under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, on March 5.

Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu told reporters here: “All cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools in Punjab shall remain closed till further orders after midnight of March 14. All public gatherings including sports events, conferences, cultural events, fairs and exhibitions shall also not be held till further orders.”

He said the step has been taken “to prevent and control the spread of Covid”.

When asked if shopping malls too would be shut, Sidhu said there was no such plan as of now.

Of the 96 samples, only one tested positive for Covid. The condition of the Italy-returned man, who is currently admitted to Government Medical College in Amritsar, is said to be stable. Members of his family tested negative for Covid.

Clearing the air on seven suspected Covid cases in Ludhiana, the government said neither any suspected patient was absconding nor missing. They were screened at the Delhi airport and were found to be asymptomatic.

The addresses and details of these passengers were incomplete as per information received from the Centre. So, information of these passengers was shared with the district administration to keep them under surveillance. None of these persons is a suspected case of Covid, the government claimed.

The Centre has shared lists of 6,850 passengers with the state government. All of them were screened upon their arrival and were found to be asymptomatic.

The state has contacted 6,058 passengers to date and all of have been put under surveillance. The contact details of 335 passengers are incomplete and lists have been shared with district administrations to contact them to know about their health status.

The Centre daily shares a list of passengers who travel to the state after returning from foreign countries.

No suspected patient missing: Govt

• The state government says neither any suspected Covid patient is absconding nor missing
• The Centre has shared lists of 6,850 passengers with the state; all of them were screened upon their arrival
• The Centre daily shares a list of passengers who travel to the state after returning from foreign countries

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.