Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 3

To check the spread of the coronavirus, the UT Administration has decided to impose stricter restrictions in the city on the pattern of Punjab. However, a day’s time has been given to residents before the restrictions come into force.

Now, all shops selling non-essential items will remain closed for seven days from 5 pm on Tuesday till 5 am on May 11. While there will be no restriction on inter-state movement, yet those entering Chandigarh without a negative Covid report or vaccine certificates will be subject to random testing.

The decisions were taken at a review meeting on the Covid-19 pandemic, chaired by UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore, who urged residents to strictly follow the Covid protocol such as wearing of masks and maintaining social distance to contain the infection.

There was a detailed discussion at the meeting regarding the steps taken by the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, including lockdown measures, to prevent the spread of the virus. It was felt that Chandigarh being the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, total sealing of the borders will not be possible.

It was also felt that a total lockdown for a long period will adversely affect the economy and may also lead to migration of labourers from the city, causing massive disruption.

Hence, it was decided to have limited restrictive measures in the city. However, the night curfew will continue from 6 pm to 5 am every day and a total weekend curfew on Saturday and Sunday will also continue.

UT journalists get frontline tag Keeping in view the nature

of work being done by mediapersons, UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore has decided that all accredited journalists will be included in the official list of frontline workers in Chandigarh

UT sees 890 fresh cases, 11 deaths

Chandigarh: The city recorded 890 Covid cases on Monday, taking the number of active cases to 7,943. With 11 more deaths, the toll stands at 507. The total number of cases in the UT has reached 45,196. TNS

No dine-in at hotels

Restaurants, including hotels, cafés, coffee shops and 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 9 pm.

From Tuesday 5 pm till 5 am on May 11

• All government offices and banks will work at 50 per cent capacity. As far as possible, all private offices will ensure that their staff work from home
• Public transport will run at 50 per cent capacity
• The ban on cinema halls, gyms, spa, bar, swimming pool and coaching centres will continue
• Sports complexes will remain closed. Special permission can be given by the Secretary (Sports) to athletes preparing for Olympics
• There will be a complete ban on all social, cultural, sports and political gatherings
• Recruitment exams will be postponed except those of the UPSC of those especially permitted by the Chandigarh Administration
• All hospitals, nursing homes and health-related facilities such as testing laboratories will function normally
• Gatherings for occasions such as marriages will be restricted to 50 and for cremation/funerals 20 persons
• Crowded places such as Sukhna Lake, museums, libraries and Rock Garden will remain closed
• Schools, colleges and coaching centres will remain closed. However, teaching staff will be required to come as per instructions to be issued by the Education Department
• While the movement of vehicles has been allowed during the daytime, residents are requested to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel
• Shops selling essential items such as milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, eggs and meat, besides those dealing in mobile repair, will remain open