Punjab govt warns of strict action against violators as it announces new curfew guidelines

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday anunced new curfew guidelines to ease problems amidst Coronavirus lockdown and also warned of strict against violators and people who are under home quarantine. Along with this, Punjab CMO's official twitter handle also shared district helpline numbers. 

Punjab CM warned of strict action against violators

According to guidelines, door to door delivery of essential commodities that is groceries, milk, fruits and vegetables may be ensured through pre-identified hawkers/distributors wherever possible during period of curfew. 

"Grocery shops, milk vendors, fruits and vegetable shops and chemists should be permitted to open on rotation in a manner that at any point of time at least one shop each is open in a given area. Such shops should also be allowed to provide door-to-door delivery on call. shops permitted to open should be kept under supervision of 1-2 policemen to check over-crowding and maintain spatial distancing," it said.

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'Vehicular movement without a pass t to be allowed'

Cheif Minister directed District Mandi Officers/Market Committee Secretaries to ensure a system of home delivery of vegetables and groceries respectively. "Only in case of emergency, people may be permitted to go on-foot for 3-4 things namely groceries, milk, fruits and vegetables and medicines/chemists and, to doctors and nursing homes. Vehicular movement without a pass t to be allowed. In an emergency, a citizen/resident should be able to call police or civil control rooms to avail necessary essential services," guidelines said.

Singh has also set up Punjab CM COVID Relief Fund, as a separate entity, for donations to fight crisis in state. Punjab has reported 29 coronavirus cases till Tuesday evening while Chandigarh has seven confirmed patients.

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PM Modi declares a nationwide lockdown

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dressed country at 8 pm on Tuesday, 24 March. In a major anuncement, he declared a nationwide lockdown for 3 weeks. “Every state, union territory, vill and district will be a part of this lockdown,” he ded. lockdown will start at midnight on 24th March. 

PM said that se 21 days are crucial to reducing spre of Coronavirus and that decision was taken after consulting with various health experts and World Health Organization (WHO). He ackwledged that 3 weeks is a long time and re will be a lot of inconveniences, but that se steps were necessary to prevent suffering in long term. 

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India has reported about 536 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Eleven people have died so far due to dely virus.

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(With ANI inputs)