Photo Source; Babushahi Network
Non-essential shops closed; more curbs imposed in Chandigarh also
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, May 3, 2021: In view of the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in UT Chandigarh, the Chandigarh administration has announced strict curbs for a week. This decision on the same taken during the review meeting of the COVID-19 situation in Chandigarh.
Among the new curbs, the administration has decided to close the non-essential shops. It has also imposed day time restrictions with the effect from 5 pm on May 4 till 5 am on May 11.
Also , the government offices and banks will work with 50 % of its total capacity. Public Transport will run with 50% capacity.
Similarly, the ban on Cinema Halls, Gyms, Spa, Bar, Swimming Pool, Coaching Centers to continue.
It is to be mentioned that Punjab government has imposed similar curbs on Sunday.
Check out various other decisions taken during the meeting:
(i) Night curfew will continue from 06:00 PM to 05:00 AM every day.
(ii) There will be day time restrictions w.e.f. 05:00 PM on 04/05/2021 (Tuesday), till 05:00 AM on 11/05/2021 (Tuesday). During these 07 days, the following restrictions will be imposed:-
(a) All shops selling non-essential items will remain closed.
(b) All government offices and banks will work with 50% capacity. As far as possible, all private offices will ensure that their staff work from home.
(c) Public Transport will run with 50% capacity.
(d) The ban on Cinema Halls, Gyms, Spa, Bar, Swimming Pool, Coaching Centres will continue.
(e) Sports Complexes will remain closed. Special permission can be given by Secretary (Sports) to athletes preparing for the Olympics etc.
(f) Restaurants including hotels, Café, Coffee Shops, Eating Places will be allowed to function only for takeaway. No seating arrangements will be allowed inside their premises. Home delivery can be done up to 09:00 PM.
(g) There shall be a complete ban on all social, cultural, sports, and political gatherings.
(h) Recruitment exams will be postponed excepting those like UPSC etc., especially permitted by Chandigarh Administration.
(i) While there will be no restriction on inter-state movement, yet those entering Chandigarh without negative covid reports or vaccine certificates will be subject to random testing.
j) All Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Health-related facilities like testing laboratories, etc. will function normally.
(k) Visitors entering government offices may be required to produce vaccination certificates or negative covid reports.
(l) The gathering for the occasions like marriages will be restricted to 50 and for cremation/funeral, it will be 20 persons.
(m) Crowded places like Sukhna Lake, Museums, Libraries, Rock Garden, etc. will remain closed.
(n) School, Colleges, Coaching Centres will remain closed. However, teaching staff will be required to come as per detailed instructions to be issued by Education Department.
(o) While the movement of vehicles has been allowed during the daytime, the residents are requested to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel.
(p) The shops selling essential items like milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, eggs, meat, the mobile repair will remain open.
(q) It is clarified that the total weekend curfew on Saturday and Sunday will continue.
Journalists declared as frontline workers
Keeping in view the nature of work being done by the mediamen, the Administrator decided that all accredited journalists will be included in the official list of frontline workers in UT, Chandigarh
Other directions given by UT Administrator
During the meeting, UT administrator VP Singh Badnore also directed that beds’ capacity in medical institutions should be enhanced to accommodate an increasing number of covid patients.
Dr. Jasbinder Kaur, Director Principal, GMCH stated that they have set up 100 beds in Sector 48 Hospital and 21 more oxygen beds are being added. She also mentioned that in GMCH, 155 beds were available, which have now been increased to 200 oxygen beds.
Dr. Amandeep Kang, Director of Health Services stated that they had 200 beds and with the addition of 48 more beds, the total capacity will increase to 248.
Badnore further directed that a Special Task Force be constituted under Principal Secretary Health to ensure proper auditing of the fatalities taking place in Sector 16, 32 and 48 hospitals. This will help the Administration to improve and take corrective measures in indoor medical treatment.
The administrator thanked the Army Authorities for setting up a 100 bedded hospital in International Students’ Hostel in Panjab University, which will become functional by May 5.
He also appealed to the residents to strictly follow the covid protocol like wearing of masks and maintain social distance, so that the infection could be contained.