Restrict number of visitors, separate entry & exit points

OPEN HOUSE : Should UT go Punjab way to check crowding at public places on weekdays

UT can follow Punjab

It’s really surprising to see huge rush at the Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden or other public places in Chandigarh particularly during the weekends raising concern about the further spread of coronavirus. Many visitors avoid wearing face masks and also do not follow proper social distancing norms. The UT Administration must take strict measures to prevent gatherings at public places during the weekends. It may impose Lockdown restrictions on the lines Punjab Government. Safety of residents is more important than anything else.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

---

Issue e-pass for visit to Sukhna Lake

There is no abatement in Covid-19 cases in the tricity. It’s a long fight ahead. To curtail rush at public places, including Sukhna Lake, it is absolutely necessary that the UT Administration starts issuing e-passes for visiting Sukhna Lake. Any person not following the guidelines like wearing face mask or maintaining social distance should be home quarantined for at least a week and penalised.

BS Dhillon, Mohali

---

Imposing curfew not enough

With the UT Administration failing to stem the spread of coronavirus and cases increasing rapidly, the issue has to be taken up seriously. People mostly contract virus at public places. So, the number of people visiting public places like Sukhna Lake should be limited. Imposing curfew on the weekends is not sufficient as there can be overcrowding can on the weekdays too.

Priyam Aggarwal, Chandigarh

---

ensure staggered movement of citizens

The transmissibility and severity of the Covid-19 pandemic is continuing. In this scenario rush at public places is not desirable. A regulatory framework has to be put in place to control the rush and ensure staggered movement of citizens. There should be paid entry tickets, given on an hourly basis, to a fixed number of visitors. Each entry point must be closely monitored with thermal scanners. Marshalls should be deployed to ensure social distancing and for desisting visitors from crowding. Regular announcements should be made on dos and don’ts.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

---

no harm in levying fines

Whereas it is expected of educated residents of Chandigarh to take all precautions in order to stall the spread of coronavirus, there is no harm in levying reasonable to heavy fines on violators of guidelines and using the money collected as local Covid care fund. During this crisis, a sense of responsibility is the least one can look for in the City Beautiful conceived for the physical, mental and emotional well being of its residents.

Prof Manjit Kaur, Mohali

---

Learn from others’ failures

So far, social distancing and masks are the only tools to control the spread of Covid-19. If people keep on assembling in large numbers without these precautions, coronavirus may go beyond control. As such the UT Administration should not allow unregulated crowds at public places, including parks, throughout the week where people assemble in groups of eight to 10 and enjoy playing cards without masks what to talk about other precautions. We should learn from failures of the Delhi Government.

KC Rana, Chandigarh.

---

It’s now or never

Amid apprehension of the peak in pandemic in Chandigarh, the UT authorities must adopt the Punjab model of implementing strict regulations during the weekends. If UT doesn’t take these measures now, the circumstances may turn unfavorable. Public places in Chandigarh, particularly Sukhna Lake, witness huge rush during the weekends. This can ultimately lead to spike in Covid cases. Therefore, due precautions are mandatory. The authorities must fix visiting hours with proper thermal scanning at public places. All must wear masks, gloves and maintain social distance at such places.

Jasleen Kaur, Mohali

---

Allow only 50 visitors at a time

On the weekends, entry at public places must be restricted. For this purpose, a register must be kept at the entry point. Only 50 visitors at a time be allowed at a particular time. They must enter their names and mobile numbers in the register and vacate public place after an hour. In case they do not do so, penalty be imposed on them. Another batch of 50 visitors should be allowed after an hour. Alternatively, visitors must pay entry charge for visiting a public place. The move will prevent gatherings at public places.

Tarlok Singh, Chandigarh

---

UT cops can follow Punjab norms

After a long spell of the lockdowns, people are eager to come out of their homes in search of fresh air. In this effort, some visitors care two hoots about the guidelines, essential to keep coronavirus at bay. Hordes of youngsters can be spotted at Sukhna Lake without masks and jostling with each other caring little about maintaining social distance. The Punjab Police is doing well by enforcing strict guidelines on the weekends and holidays. The UT police must follow their counterparts in Punjab and seal entry points at public places, including Sukhna Lake, particularly on the weekends and holidays.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

---

Stay home, stay safe

During this pandemic, people are becoming impatient. They are waiting eagerly to be outdoors and want things to bounce back to normalcy. They want to be with nature, see open sky and get rid of anxiety and stress. But, there is no place safe during the crisis. So, it is imperative to stay home and stay safe. During this challenging time, we must to cooperate with the government by strictly following the Covid norms.

Anchita Sharma, Chandigarh

---

UT must not go Punjab way

The UT authorities should not follow the Punjab model of implementing strict regulations during the weekends particularly at Sukhna Lake where people go to get fresh air and be with nature. People should be educated to wear masks, follow social distancing and sanitisation before entering public places. Thermal screening can done at entry points of public spots. Precautions are better rather than making strict regulations, which sends wrong signal among the public at large.

TBS Bedi, Chandigarh

---

Ignorance can prove fatal

Despite of warnings by the government, people have become complacent towards Covid-19 pandemic. This ignorance can prove fatal. People should avoid gathering at public places’ as there is no need of commercial activities on weekends and other holidays. It has been observed, that during the lockdown, the pollution level was at minimum and the environment was refreshed. Even challenging task of ‘Clean Ganga’ has been achieved. It shall be wiser to impose strict weekend lockdown in the whole country.

Prof Shailja Beniwal, Chandigarh

---

Old dictum safety saves holds good

As there is no abatement in Covid cases, the UT authorities need to take every possible measure to control its spread. It will be a good step if crowding at malls, Sukhna Lake and other parks is restricted or altogether stopped during the weekends. The old dictum ‘safety saves’ holds good for the control of this horrible virus as well. When one returns home, he/she is to wash his/her clothes, take a bath immediately and change into fresh attire. This is not possible for every one every time. So, it’s better to refrain from venturing crowded places.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

---

Don’t act tough against visitors

The Punjab Government can implement strict rules for visitors, but the UT authorities should not act tough against weekend visitors. The best way is to deploy officials to make people, who visit Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake and other public places during weekends, aware through announcements to follow regulations like to use masks, not to spit in the open, keep social distance and avoid crowding. All these precautions are for residents’ safety.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

---

Prevention is better than cure

Surely, the Chandigarh Administration should adopt the Punjab model of implementing the weekend lockdown to check crowding at public places as the Covid-19 cases are surging in the tricity. Chandigarh being a tourist attraction also attracts visitors from nearby towns of Punjab as well as Haryana during the weekends, which leads to overcrowding. Due to overcrowding physical distancing norms cannot be followed, which can spread coronavirus. Also, public places like Sukhna Lake should be out of bounds for the people till the pandemic abates. People should themselves restrict their movements. Remember, “Prevention is better than cure.”

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

---

curbs inevitable as Self-regulation failed

When the lockdown was eased, it was expected that people would take preventive measures against the deadly Covid-19. Even the so called educated elite belie this notion and throng Sukhna Lake and other public spots in numbers. When self-regulation fails, mandatory curbs become inevitable. The UT Administration must adopt the Punjab model of implementing strict regulations to check crowding at public places. Complacency on our part is the culprit for the re-surge in pandemic, inviting stringent civil/civic restrictions. People ought to adhere to “be-home, stay safe” panacea and venture out only if they must to expect more relaxations to take life and economy back on fast rails.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

---

most people don’t follow guidelines

Most people are carefree and do not follow Covid guidelines. The authorities should maintain discipline and control rush at public places. Bureaucrats and politicians are not above the law. Everyone must follow norms like wearing masks and maintaining social distance. No one should be spared if violating rules and regulations. Violators must be punished.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

---

mark separate lane for joggers, walkers

The UT Administration should put restrictions on crowding at Sukhna Lake in wake of the pandemic. Separate lanes should be marked for those, who want to jog or walk early in the morning or late in the evening. Passes should be made mandatory for those, who want to enjoy nature or exercise at the lake. A specific time should be allotted to those, who exercise and visitors coming to enjoy at the lake. CCTVs must be installed and online challans be issued to those violating norms. The Sukhna Lake area should be sealed and entry be allowed strictly through passes.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

---

UT must follow in footsteps of Punjab

The Punjab Government with its proactive approach has done well to restrict the spread of coronavirus. The Chandigarh Administration can also follow restrictions imposed in Punjab during the weekends and other holidays to restrict peoples’ movement at public places like Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, markets’ and parks. Elderly and children must not venture in public places in order to keep safe from the virus.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Singh Minhas (retd), Mohali

---

Social distancing is a myth

Man is a social animal and cannot keep aloof for months’ altogether. What is wrong if he/she comes out to a public place like Sukhna Lake or Rock Garden? The Punjab Government’s decision of imposing the lockdown on Saturdays/Sundays and public holidays to prevent spreading Covid-19 is a dream. The Punjab CM must visit Hall Bazaar in Amritsar or any other market in Ludhiana to see for himself that social distancing is a myth. How can anyone be so sure that Covid-19 will spread on the weekends only? If the UT Administration adopts the Punjab model of regulations to check crowding at public places then it would be a perfect example of blind following a blind.

Gurpreet Malhotra, Chandigarh

---

On-the-spot fine for violations

It is surprising to see blatant violation of social distancing and safety measures at Sukhna Lake. To reduce the impact of coronavirus we have to reduce the transmission of disease. Fresh restrictions should be imposed again. There must be strict checking at entry point of the lake and public places. Violators of norms should be fined on the spot for ignoring Covid norms.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

---

People tend to mess up things

It would be wise for the UT authorities to adopt the Punjab model to prevent crowding at public places for the sake of society’s general health. The ambience of fresh air and serenity suggests that Sukhna Lake is a priceless gift to residents, who must do everything within their power to conserve a healthy environment. Following the age-old adage “prevention is better than cure” the UT authorities ought to adopt strict regulations in view of the fact that left to themselves people tend to mess up things, unwittingly risking their own and others’ health and lives.

DR SS Bhatti, Chandigarh

---

Follow punjab with harsher restrictions

Our so-called learned citizens have not been taking into account the seriousness of the matter. Instead of taking extra precautions, they have started misusing privileges posing danger to society. During the weekends and holidays, locals tend to rush to Sukhna Lake or other public places. As there is nothing new to visit such places, it can be avoided. The Chandigarh Administration should follow the Punjab model of regulations with even harsher restrictions to stop further spread of the coronavirus in the city.

Surinder Paul Wadhwa, Mohali

---

Ban use of vehicles on the weekends

People living near Sukhna Lake are eminent personalities and are well aware of the existing conditions. Our youngsters are aware of the fact that safety saves, they don’t care. They may be wearing masks and sanitising their hands regularly, but it is difficult for them to maintain social distance in crowded places. As experts tell us, the pandemic is to peak in the coming months. May be we can ban use of vehicles on the weekends. Only bicycles and no motorcycles be allowed at the weekends. Entry at Sukhna Lake and Rose Garden should be through tickets only. If that is not enough, impose strict restrictions during the weekends on the Punjab pattern.

Dr Gurdev Singh, Mohali

---

Harsh decision will control situation

To keep the situation arising out of the Covid pandemic under control, the authorities must take harsh decision even if some inconvenience is caused to citizens. If needed regulations adopted by the Punjab Government on the weekends should be implemented in the UT. There is need to control overcrowding at public places on the weekdays too. Citizens should cooperate with the authorities.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

---

Time-bound entry at public places

Covid-19 pandemic has become way of life. With relaxation in working hours, there has been a spike in Covid cases. Challenges are greater especially for youth, as they love to socialise. Opening few public places like Sukhna Lake helps people go out, feel refreshed and relaxed. Strict regulations or closing of public places is not the solution. It would add more fuel to fire. Taking precautions like social distancing and allowing few people for limited time at public places will give everyone an opportunity to move around in natural environment and relax. The government should help people to regain their mental and physical health. More restrictions may take a toll on their lives.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

---

The move has already failed in Punjab

Is coronavirus so intelligent that it infects residents only on the weekends and not on the weekdays when people irresponsibly intermingle at public places discarding all precautionary norms? If the UT authorities adopt Punjab model of implementing strict regulations during the weekends to check crowding at public places, it won’t help as the move has already failed in the border state. There’s wide gap between the authorities claims and the ground zero reality. Either implement complete Lockdown or leave irresponsible public to God’s mercy.

MPS Chadha, Mohali

---

Onus lies on residents

Despite making people of City Beautiful aware of precautions to be taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19, it has been observed that the former have adopted a casual approach towards the issue. Whether its market or Sukhna Lake, the social distancing norm has gone for a toss. In sector gardens', too, one can watch people jogging without masks in the evening. In such a situation, the only way to prevent crowding is to step up policing at public places where cops can warn and take legal action against those, who violate Covid norms. Following Punjab model may not be of much help. Only making residents understand their responsibility will keep the pandemic under control.

HJS Gill, Chandigarh

---

QUESTION

The Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, usually finishes repair/recarpeting of roads before the arrival of monsoon. This year, the MC wasn’t able to do so due to the Lockdown and labour shortage. Hence, it has decided to carry out the work even during the monsoon, whenever there is a long, dry spell. Do you think it is a wise move or should the MC wait for the monsoon to get over before starting work?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]