Coronavirus | Night curfew is extended in nine districts of Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced a two-hour extension in night curfew in the nine districts of the state, which are most affected by COVID-19. He warned of more strict measures and restrictions in the next few days.

Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mohali, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Ropar will now have night curfew from 9 am to 5 pm instead of 11 am to 5 pm. All these districts are reporting more than 100 cases per day.

The announcement comes on March 17 with 35 deaths in Punjab’s daily affairs after shooting 2,039.

Addressing a press conference on the occasion of completion of four years of his government, Captain Singh said that the position of COVID-19 in the state was critical and that he would work hard.

He said that in the next few days, after deliberations with the expert team of the state government, several stringent measures including ban on meetings will be announced. He said whether it would also include a ban on political ceremonies which would be decided according to the advice of the medical expert team.

“I will not be easy on people. People may not like it, but it is my duty.” Captain Singh said he expected the daily case load to not cross 3,000, as estimated by experts.

‘Critical situation’

Captain Singh, with 283 patients on high-dependency units (on oxygen) and 27 others on ventilators, was in critical condition, urging people to get themselves tested even if they feel a bit unwell.

While the government was taking all possible measures to check the spread of the virus, the Chief Minister hoped that the Center would accept his suggestion (presented at the Prime Minister’s meeting on 17 March) of young people in the least populated areas. On opening vaccination and all those in public-facing roles.

On the statement of the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh to curb the people of Punjab for pilgrimage and religious purposes, Captain Singh said that he was not in favor of prohibiting the religious movement.

He added that the COVID problem needed to be controlled was added, and a suitable decision would be taken when a formal letter is received from the Chief Minister of the neighboring state on the issue.