Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered extension of night curfew in all cities and towns with restriction of 100 on indoor and 250 on outdoor gatherings in the state till January 1, 2021.
Singh also directed DGP Dinkar Gupta to strictly enforce the restrictions at marriage halls and other places, with fine to be imposed on the hosts in case of deviance.
Taking cognisance of the rising Covid-19 fatality rate in the state, the chief minister also extended curfew restrictions from 10 pm. to 5 am till January 1. The night curfew was earlier imposed from December 1 to December 15.
Chairing a high-level Covid review meeting, the CM also ordered an end to home quarantine for those above the age of 70 with co-morbidities, unless adequate medical facilities can be made available at home. Health secretary Hussan Lal pointed out during the virtual meeting that a large number of Covid-19 deaths were also being reported from home isolation cases.
Captain Amarinder Singh also ordered a thorough inspection of all private hospitals to ensure that only those with adequate Level 3 infrastructure and manpower be allowed to admit coronavirus patients. Hospitals lacking such facilities should refer patients to other hospitals, he said.
{{/usCountry}}Captain Amarinder Singh also ordered a thorough inspection of all private hospitals to ensure that only those with adequate Level 3 infrastructure and manpower be allowed to admit coronavirus patients. Hospitals lacking such facilities should refer patients to other hospitals, he said.
{{/usCountry}}Though the declining positivity trend in Punjab over the past 3 weeks was welcome, the fatality rate remained a matter of concern, Amarinder pointed out, directing the DGP to ensure strict compliance to Covid safety protocols in the state, including wearing of masks and social distancing.
He also asked the health department to maintain the 30000/day RT-PCR sampling/testing limit, with more smart and targeted sampling to include potential super spreaders.
“Districts must be encouraged to make full use of the ITIHAAS portal to identify possible hotspots and concentrate their sampling there,” he said, stressing the need to step up testing in containment and micro-containment zones and ensure 100 per cent sampling.
The chief minister also asked the health department to monitor the health of the farmers who are returning from Delhi in wake of the virus situation in national capital.