CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced extension of curfew in the state by two weeks after May 3, while announcing steps for limited lifting of the lockdown restrictions, from Thursday, in the non-containment and non-red zones, with strict adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols.
In his video message to people of the state on Wednesday, Amarinder Singh said, “I had said that I will announce certain relaxations. We have decided that the lockdown will be lifted from 7am to 11am daily and shops will be opened. But you will have to come back after 11 am. Meanwhile, the lockdown/curfew will be extended for at least two weeks and then assess the situation. But (this way) you will get some relaxation.”
The curfew/lockdown in the state will now remain in force in Punjab till May 17, though limited easing of restrictions will be in place from April 30 from 7am to 11am every day. The containment and red zones will, however, continue to remain under total and strict lockdown. Amarinder added that the situation will be reviewed after two weeks and further relaxations will be announced thereafter if the pandemic remains in control.
Based on the report of the expert committee set up to formulate the state’s exit strategy, Amarinder said it was necessary to continue with the lockdown restrictions for some more time. The lockdown/curfew will remain in place after 11am, as usual and if the situation improves after two weeks, we can take more steps, said Amarinder.
“Steps like lockdown and then curfew were aimed at checking social mixing. I had said this before that this disease will continue to spread and experts are of the view that it could go on till July, August or even September. My appeal is that avoiding social mixing by maintaining social distancing, wearing marks and not having gatherings at home should not be done,” he added.
Referring to the large number of Punjabis stranded in other states due to the lockdown, Amarinder said it was his government’s duty to bring them back but they would have to be quarantined for 21 days. The state had made arrangements for their quarantine in all district, he said, adding that the problem had aggravated in Punjab due to the large number of NRIs who came home, followed by the attendees of the Nizamuddin event. The state, he said, could not afford to let those coming from outside again let things spiral out of control, he said.
Which shops will open from April 30
The limited relaxations announced from April 30 include permission for opening of all registered shops, except those in multi-brand and single-brand malls, with 50% strength of workers from 7am to 11am. In urban areas, all stand-alone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are allowed to open. However, establishments dealing in services like saloons, barber shops etc. would continue to remain closed. Further, e-commerce companies will continue to be permitted to deal in essential goods only during this period. Also, certain shops will be allowed to remain open in certain areas by rotation, for four hours every morning, with 50% staff strength. DCs will work out the rotational schedule for the shops that are allowed to be opened.
Appeal to industry to begin operations
Expressing his government’s keenness to open up the industry, the CM urged all those who could accommodate the workers or had workers staying in the vicinity to start opening up, in order to help revive the state’s battered economy. “The second thing is that we want to open the industrial units that can take care of their labour. You may start with such industry. We want to open the industry and shops and give people some relaxation,” he said.
In his video message to people of the state on Wednesday, Amarinder Singh said, “I had said that I will announce certain relaxations. We have decided that the lockdown will be lifted from 7am to 11am daily and shops will be opened. But you will have to come back after 11 am. Meanwhile, the lockdown/curfew will be extended for at least two weeks and then assess the situation. But (this way) you will get some relaxation.”
The curfew/lockdown in the state will now remain in force in Punjab till May 17, though limited easing of restrictions will be in place from April 30 from 7am to 11am every day. The containment and red zones will, however, continue to remain under total and strict lockdown. Amarinder added that the situation will be reviewed after two weeks and further relaxations will be announced thereafter if the pandemic remains in control.
Based on the report of the expert committee set up to formulate the state’s exit strategy, Amarinder said it was necessary to continue with the lockdown restrictions for some more time. The lockdown/curfew will remain in place after 11am, as usual and if the situation improves after two weeks, we can take more steps, said Amarinder.
“Steps like lockdown and then curfew were aimed at checking social mixing. I had said this before that this disease will continue to spread and experts are of the view that it could go on till July, August or even September. My appeal is that avoiding social mixing by maintaining social distancing, wearing marks and not having gatherings at home should not be done,” he added.
Referring to the large number of Punjabis stranded in other states due to the lockdown, Amarinder said it was his government’s duty to bring them back but they would have to be quarantined for 21 days. The state had made arrangements for their quarantine in all district, he said, adding that the problem had aggravated in Punjab due to the large number of NRIs who came home, followed by the attendees of the Nizamuddin event. The state, he said, could not afford to let those coming from outside again let things spiral out of control, he said.
Which shops will open from April 30
The limited relaxations announced from April 30 include permission for opening of all registered shops, except those in multi-brand and single-brand malls, with 50% strength of workers from 7am to 11am. In urban areas, all stand-alone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are allowed to open. However, establishments dealing in services like saloons, barber shops etc. would continue to remain closed. Further, e-commerce companies will continue to be permitted to deal in essential goods only during this period. Also, certain shops will be allowed to remain open in certain areas by rotation, for four hours every morning, with 50% staff strength. DCs will work out the rotational schedule for the shops that are allowed to be opened.
Appeal to industry to begin operations
Expressing his government’s keenness to open up the industry, the CM urged all those who could accommodate the workers or had workers staying in the vicinity to start opening up, in order to help revive the state’s battered economy. “The second thing is that we want to open the industrial units that can take care of their labour. You may start with such industry. We want to open the industry and shops and give people some relaxation,” he said.
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