Chandigarh may go the Punjab way with weekend curbs

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 24

Concerned over the rising number of Covid-19 cases, the city may also go the Punjab way in imposing a lockdown on weekends.

“If there is a drastic rise in the number of cases or if residents continue to violate social distancing norms, Chandigarh could opt for weekend closure of markets or curfew on weekends as has been done in Punjab and other states,” said an official, adding that this was the view that emerged during the daily war room meeting presided over by UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore today.

The city has already seen 420 positive cases. The authorities are also worried because earlier a majority of the cases were being reported from Bapu Dham Colony only, but now cases are surfacing from various sectors. It has been noticed that a number of cases are of outsiders.

In Punjab, only shops dealing with essential commodities/services remain open on all days, while other shops, whether standalone or in shopping malls, remain closed on Sundays. On Saturdays, these are open till 5 pm. Restaurants – for takeaway/home delivery only – and liquor shops continue to be open till 8 pm on all days. Besides, the inter-district movement is barred except for e-pass holders during the weekends and holidays. Similar restrictions may be applied to the UT as well.

Jail for violating home quarantine norms

The Administrator directed the Director General of Police to ensure that vehicles bearing registration numbers of other areas and bringing visitors from outside are checked at the borders and their details obtained for subsequent monitoring.

Badnore asked officials to enhance vigil and ensure that those who violate social distancing and other guidelines are penalised through a special drive.

The Administrator directed the DC to ensure that all visitors from outside the tricity are monitored for symptoms. They should not be allowed to violate the quarantine stipulations. The authorities have already stated that visitors from outside the tricity who do not isolating themselves at home for 14 days will be fined Rs2,000 and may have to spend six months in jail or pay another fine of up to Rs1,000. Home quarantine is mandatory for all those staying in city for more than three days. He ordered that all pregnant women admitted to hospitals must be mandatorily tested for Covid.

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