Punjab eases curfew hours in orange, green zones

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 2

Punjab government announced it was easing curfew hours in orange and green zones on Saturday, as the state looks at slowly easing lockdown rules imposed in the state over the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said shops in orange and green zones across the state will remain open from 9 am to 1 pm. The new timing will be applicable from Sunday.

However, there would be no relaxations in red zones and containment areas, he said.

The new curfew hours are two hours longer than currently given. Punjab’s curfew hours currently are from 7-11 am.

The chief minister attributed the decision to requests to have curfew time changed because shops do not usually open before 9 am.

“The issue also came up for discussion during the Cabinet meeting, and there was consensus that the timings should be changed in public interest,” an official spokesperson said.

Capt Amarinder said anyone found without a facemask in public or not following social distancing protocol would be penalised.

“The relaxations come with strict protocols, which the people need to follow,” Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said, adding that those found violating the curfew restrictions or otherwise disrupting the state’s law and order would be strictly dealt with.