To check rise in COVID-19 cases, Chandigarh puts cap on numbers of guests in gatherings

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 10

The UT Administration has brought back some restrictions on the number of guests in a function in order to contain a rise in COVID-19 cases.

The Administration has decided to impose restrictions on the number of people, which were earlier allowed to gather in social, cultural, religious and family functions.

Now, the maximum numbers for indoor gathering will be 100 or 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue, whichever is lower. As regards the outdoor gathering, the number was kept to 200, which is the same as the restrictions imposed by the Punjab Government.

During a meeting to review a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases, UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore expressed deep concern about the rising number of corona cases and directed strict implementation of Covid appropriate behaviour.

He directed the Deputy Commissioner and police officials to intensify checking and impose fine on people, violating the Covid guidelines.

The administrator directed that proper facilities should be provided in the vaccination centres, so that the senior citizens coming for vaccination do not have to wait for a long time.

They should not be asked to stand in queues; rather some arrangements for sitting in the hall and rest after the vaccination should be provided.

Badnore directed that a special drive should be conducted by the police to ensure that the social distancing is properly maintained in dining places inside restaurants and also inside shops in various markets and all such crowded areas including Sukhna Lake.

The administrator also directed that special arrangements should be made to screen and test the residents of various welfare homes; such as old age homes, homes for the physically challenged, students’ hostels and also facilitate vaccination for the senior citizens and the immunocompromised.

The administrator directed that there should be increase in testing and contact tracing all over the city.  He desired that the crowded places like bus stand, railway station, apni mandis, Sukhna Lake and market places should be focused.

Sector 48 hospital to be re-opened

In view of rising Covid cases, UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore has directed the authorities that Sector 48 hospital should be re-opened to accommodate the increasing number of corona cases. He also desired that Covid Care Centres earlier opened in Dhanwantry Hospital and Sood Dharamshala should be kept in readiness.