Punjab says no to Chandigarh’s weekend curfew move

Chandigarh, July 20

The Punjab Government has not accepted the UT Administration’s proposal for imposing weekend curfew in the tricity.

Keeping in view the sudden increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, the UT Administration was planning to impose a total curfew on weekends from 7 pm on Friday to 6 am on Monday.

UT Adviser Manoj Parida said he had written to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana to agree to the UT’s proposal for a curfew in the tricity on weekends.

“Weekend curfew only in Chandigarh will not be effective, unless it is simultaneously imposed in Mohali and Panchkula,” he said. Confirming the development, Parida said the Punjab Government had turned down its proposal, whereas a response from the Haryana Government was still awaited. During a review meeting, there was a view after discussion with doctors that since there was a lack of adequate compliance about social distancing and wearing a face mask, there was no option but to go for a total curfew on weekends in the tricity. It has become unavoidable to break the chain and check the sudden surge in Covid cases in the tricity. However, the final decision would be taken by UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore on Wednesday.

Badnore directed the Director General of Police to conduct more flag marches in various colonies and sectors to create awareness among people regarding precautions to be taken against Covid-19. He also directed to tighten security in various hospitals so that health workers feel fearless.

The Administrator directed that special care should be taken to locate and examine the vulnerable population, particularly senior citizens, who are likely to have co-morbidities. Dr G Dewan, Director, Health Services, stated that they had completed second round of door-to-door screening in Mani Majra. They would now start third round of door-to-door screening in Sector 45. —TNS