Punjab removes all Covid-19 restrictions as cases sink

Punjab registered 48 cases of Covid-19 in the state on Monday, however, no deaths were reported. Out of the total cases reported, nine cases were found in Jalandhar, six in Patiala, and five in Fazilka.

As coronavirus cases decline in Punjab, the state government has removed all existing restrictions with immediate effect. "All previous instructions on all Covid-19 related restrictions are removed with immediate effect," a notice issued by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice said. However, the government has underlined the importance of continuing to follow established Covid protocols, including wearing face masks, maintaining social distance, and frequent sanitising of hands and frequently touched surfaces.

(HT file photo)

On February 15 the Department of Home Affairs and Justice had extended restrictions for 10 days. Maximum capacity at gatherings, however, were set at 50 per cent, providing the rules are followed.

Punjab has just held a high-profile Assembly election, campaigning for which was largely curtailed on orders of the Election Commission, which had initially barred in-person and physical rallies in the state (as well as in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Manipur, where elections were also held) before easing limits as cases declined.

Rallies and roadshows could be held with full attendance only from February 22, so long as prior permission was obtained from concerned officials in each district.

Concerns had been expressed, when election dates were announced, of a surge in Covid cases in voting states like that seen in Bengal and Tamil Nadu this time last year.

On Monday, however, Punjab registered only 48 new cases (and zero deaths) in 24 hours. Over seven lakh Covid cases have been recorded in Punjab so far. The active caseload has dropped to 265 after a huge surge in January that was driven by the Omicron variant.

According to the state government's media bulletin, the positivity rate stands at 0.37 per cent and the number of recovered persons is over 7.4 lakh.

Meanwhile, India will begin vaccinating children in the 12-14 age group from Wednesday. All adults above 60 years of age will be eligible for booster doses.