Curfew can help, but guidelines need to be followed strictly

Will night curfew in ut and Mohali check the spread of deadly covid-19 virus?

It is A step in the right direction

The Covid-19 pandemic has comeback and is proving to be deadlier than its earlier wave. The Chandigarh Administration and the Punjab Government has imposed night curfews in their respective domains. It is presumed that night curfews will control the spread of virus as it will restrict movement within cities. Late night gatherings will be restricted. It is a step in the night direction. The night curfew should continue till there is some respite from the virus.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Check movement of people

The second wave of Covid -19 has hit much hard than the first one. People have taken the spread of the deadly virus lightly while disregarding all safety measure like wearing face mask and maintaining distances. When this menace started, lockdown and curfew from dusk to dawn proved effective. To break the chain of virus movement of people, who don't adhere to norms, has to be controlled. The perception that vaccine is a potent tool is not relevant. Random challaning of people for not wearing mask can help. When the Prime Minister and Home Minister attend elections rallies without wearing mask crowds also don't adhere to norms. Politicians must show self-discipline and concern for the life of people.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Mohali

Vaccination is the best option

Something is better than nothing, but still people are not mending their ways when it comes to following safety guidelines. The best option instead of imposing night curfew is vaccination against Covid, which should be open for all. The Covid pandemic should be taken seriously.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon Chandigarh

Enforce Covid protocol strictly

The UT Administration should seriously focus on implementation of wearing masks and maintaining social distance. Even after such a hue and cry, people roam in markets/public places without following the Covid protocol. There is no one from the Health/Police Departments to penalise such people, who flout norms. Night curfew is just a ritual and will be of little help.

KC Rana, Chandigarh

Take violators of norms to task

Night curfew is not going to help combat spread of the virus if masses don't follow Covid protocol. Owners of food joints and marriage resorts have already suffered huge losses. The government should lift night curfew and get more stricter with people violating safety measures. Now it's time for the people to earn their livelihood. The government should open Covid vaccination for all to prevent the spread of the virus.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Educate people rather than imposing curfew

The second wave of Covid-19 is more deadly. It's better to educate public on war footing in order to encourage them to maintain social distance, wear face masks and sanitise hands. The authorities must challan persons not following safety norms. Night curfew or lockdown will only affect the common men financially, physically and mentally. Let us take pledge to follow Covid guidelines seriously.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

Vaccinate people on the doorstep

To prevent the further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic mere imposition of the night curfew will hardly have any desired impact. As there are necessary restrictions on holding social events like marriages and private parties and hotel timings have been reduced, night curfew will hardly serve any purpose. It looks more like a cosmetic treatment than a solution to the problem. The authorities concerned must pool all their resources to vaccinate people of all age groups possibly on doorstep. Till then, enforce all Covid safety protocol rather sternly in the day time at crowded places of the city. Violators should be shamed in the public and penalised with hefty fines.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Impose Section 144 at public places

Night curfew will not prevent the spread of Covid cases in the tricity. Rather, the Administration should impose Section 144 at public places, which are thronged by outsiders in groups. Besides, Covid test should be mandatory for every resident. The authorities concerned have to take more tough decisions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

Makes no sense whatsoever

Imposing night curfew or weekend lockdown will not prevent the transmission of the deadly virus. The government should ramp up free testing for Covid. Only good healthcare system can reduce the spread of the virus. Coronavirus does not rest during the day and becomes active in the night. It's difficult to fathom what is the logic behind night curfew or weekend lockdown? On one hand, there is a total disregard for Covid-19 regulations in political rallies and on the other there is night curfew or lockdown in the tricity. In fact, night curfew can be counterproductive as the authorities are forcing people to get work done before a certain time, which leads to crowding at public places during the daytime. If there is no curfew, at least people will have the option to buy groceries or other products they need in a less crowded environment. Night curfew/lockdown makes no sense whatsoever.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Follow norms to eradicate menace

Covid-19 pandemic spread more than a year ago. At present, the second wave of the virus is at its peak. Many people roam on roads during late night hours throwing the safety norms to the winds. Kudos to the UT and Mohali police force, which challans violators of the norms. Still, the force will have to keep a strict vigil at night so that people don't roam on roads and infection does not spread further. The pandemic menace can be eradicated if all adhere to the safety protocol strictly.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Clamp Curfew from 6 pm to 5 am

Night curfew in Mohali and Chandigarh is not so effective because mostly people are at home during this time. The rush hours are from 6 pm onwards. So, the curfew should be from 6 pm to 5 am. As second Covid wave is at its peak extending curfew hours will check the spread of deadly virus. Besides, lockdown on Saturday and Sunday should continue.

Sukhwant Bhullar, Chandigarh

No use if precautions are not taken

Second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is at peak and dangerous. Night curfew in the tricity will help in restraining the spread of the deadly virus. Curfew will serve little purpose if people do not follow safety guidelines. The Administration should ensure that all residents in the tricity follow guidelines and don't take the pandemic lightly. Violators of the norms should be punished.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

May not be effective as presumed

Imposing curfew in the tricity may not be effective. Markets, lake and other such locations remain crowded till curfew comes into force. Residents ignore Covid precautions at such places. No doubt advancing curfew timings will effect economy and other services. But, the situation demands that the curfew should be enforced from 7 pm to 5 am. The authorities should ensure that the curfew restrictions are strictly followed by residents in the tricity.

Balbir Singh Batra, Mohali

A mere eyewash

Night curfew to check the spread of the coronavirus is simply not effective. The main events that spread infection are political rallies, social and religious gatherings, crowding at markets, bus stands and railway stations and other public places mostly during the daytime. Traffic is normally less at night. So curfew, after shops, cinemas and malls are closed is of no use. Round-the-clock strict enforcement of the Covid protocol is the need of the hour. Public by and large does not follow rules unless there is fear of punishment. Unless stringent penalties are imposed on violators, night curfew will be eyewash.

Bubby Soin, Chandigarh

Discourage people from gathering

Night curfew after 9 pm in big cities in order to discourage people, particularly youngsters, from socialising unnecessarily makes sense. In Chandigarh night rides with friends/family has become a social norm and that includes halts for street food or drinks. Such unnecessary and public gatherings, however small, should be discouraged, with curfews if required. Young urbanites don't respect rules and sometimes give silly excuses to circumvent them. During the Covid-19 crisis, public must exercise restraint and maintain discipline. Imposing night or weekend curfew/lockdown will not control transmission of the deadly disease.

Akshar Kumar Singla, Chandigarh

Not enough to control virus

Night curfew has limited impact on containing the virus transmission. The Administration should take stringent measures like complete ban on political gatherings and social events, which are superspreaders of the coronavirus. The Administration should focus on the implementation of preventive guidelines to contain the virus.

Anita Tandon, Kharar

Implement curfew norms strictly

Covid-19 pandemic is not over yet as we see positive cases multiply with each passing day. Night curfew must be implemented strictly to prevent social gatherings. People must not be allowed to go out for a walk even around the block with their family during curfew hours.

Parampreet Kaur, Chandigarh

Will serve no purpose

The night curfew is a farce. When Covid-19 norms are openly flouted at public places during the day, night curfew serves no purpose. Instead of the illogical night curfew, stricter restrictions should be imposed during the day, which must be complemented by round-the-clock vigil by the authorities concerned. The police must step up vigil at public places like parks, markets and other crowded spaces. People not complying with the Covid-19 norms and SOPs must be punished. Night curfew must be lifted immediately.

Simran Sidhu, Chandigarh

A futile exercise

The second wave of deadly coronavirus has infected more people than the first. The Administration's restrictions must be followed and implemented in true spirit. Political rallies, religious functions and other crowded events have rendered imposition of the night curfew a futile exercise. People don't follow norms like wearing face masks or maintaining distance. Strict action should be taken against all, including political big wigs and others, who pull crowds and spread virus.

Wg Cdr Jasbir singh Minhas (retd), Mohali

Strict lockdown can be imposed

Night curfew will not help in restraining the spread of the coronavirus in Chandigarh or Mohali. In the present situation, people don't wear face mask, maintain hand hygiene or follow social distancing norm. Heavy fine must be imposed on those, who don't follow Covid guidelines. Only strict lockdown is an option to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Focus on trace, test, treatment

Night curfew will stop unnecessary crowding and movement of residents. Some say curfew is only an eye wash while other opine that it is good step to prevent the spread of virus and lockdown in future. People should follow safety norms strictly. The government should focus on trace, test, treatment and improve healthcare facilities in the tricity.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Night curfew Does not make any sense

The recent decision of the Chandigarh and Mohali Administrations to impose night curfew in their respective areas defies logic that the virus can spread only in the night. This shows the helplessness of the government, which cannot impose complete lockdown due to adverse impact on the economy. Night curfew does not make sense as most of human activities take place in the day time. Unless public realises the importance of adhering to the Covid management protocol infections will go on rising.

Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh

Unemployment will increase

Night curfew would not restrain the spread of the virus. Rather, it would only create unemployment at an alarming rate and jeopardise the economy. When it comes to political rallies then there is no fear of coronavirus. When it is common man's business then government comes up with lot of restrictions and guidelines. Exams can be cancelled or postponed, but elections cannot. Leaders are protected during rallies, but common man gathers in groups, which are at high risk of contracting the disease. The need of the hour is to rethink about development. Flattering case load curve or imposing lockdown comes at an economic cost. It's important to teach people to follow precautions and protect themselves. Open all activities to revive economy, but while taking all precautions.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

May help to some extent

Imposing night curfew in Chandigarh and Mohali can have a solitary affect on controlling the spread of the pandemic. Effective and strictly imposed pandemic specific rules can be more effective in the present scenario. We cannot afford another lockdown because of the already dwindling economy. Citizens can help the authorities to fight and control the pandemic by following guidelines honestly. Golden rules are "venture out only when necessary, wear mask properly, keep distance of six feet, and wash or sanitise hands regularly".

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

Persuade residents to get inoculated

Nobody knows when and how he/she can contract virus. Only follow protocol issued by the government regarding Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. It can help restrain the spread of the deadly virus. Resident welfare associations should persuade eligible residents to get them vaccinated.

Jai Goel, Chandigarh

A nuisance tool in hands of cops

Caution is the eldest child of wisdom. Only precautions like frequent hand sanitisation, maintaining social distance and wearing face masks can restrain the spread of the virus. With night outlets closed and other activities curtailed, people out on roads are few during the odd hours. Whom does the Administration want to target with night curfew? There is little use of night curfew, which will only be a nuisance-tool in the hands of policemen to harass individuals. The second Covid pandemic wave is result of laxity and complacency on the part of common man and the authorities. The need of the hour is Section 144 like ban on mass gatherings during normal hours.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Will jeopardise economy

The second Covid-19 wave is more virulent and could send more people to hospital. Looking at the gravity of the situation, the Chandigarh Administration has imposed night curfew/lockdown, which is undesirable as it may create alarming unemployment, jeopardise the economy and hurt migrant labour. The only option to contain the virus is to go back to "test, trace and treat". Stress should be on inoculating maximum beneficiaries, creating awareness about vaccine and ensure compliance of the Covid safety measures. Greater citizens' responsibility, aided by the Administration's stern action against violation of norms and vaccination is the only way out to control the deadly virus.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

Weekend lockdown will help

Imposing night curfew won't check the spread of the second Covid wave in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. There aren't too many parties at night. Most restaurants close unlike those in metropolitan cities. So, night curfew will prove futile. The weekend lockdown will be much more helpful.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh

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QUESTION

As the second Covid-19 pandemic wave is at its peak, will the weekend lockdown help curb the rising coronavirus cases in Chandigarh?

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