Punjab makes full COVID vaccination or RT-PCR negative report mandatory to enter state

Amid rising fear of a third COVID-19 wave in country, Punjab government has decided to tighten restrictions on interstate movement. On Saturday, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh announced that RT-PCR negative test report or both doses of COVID-19 vaccination would be me mandatory from August 16 to enter Punjab. 

In latest guidelines, strict checking will be done on people visiting state from Jammu and Himachal Presh. decision comes after state observed a sudden rise in number of daily COVID-19 cases in last week. Several reports also suggest a massive spre of COVID-19 cases in schools. To ensure protection of children, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh emphasised that only fully vaccinated teaching and non-teaching staff, or those recently recovered from COVID, should physically teach in schools and colleges, with an online learning option to remain available to all children.

He also directed that teachers and non-teaching employees be given priority for vaccination, with special camps being run to guarantee that everyone gets first dosage this month and that those due for second dose be also given priority. 

Earlier, Minister of State for Health, Balbir Singh Sidhu has also vised on same lines. He h furr asked CM to narrow interval between two doses and prioritising second dose for teachers and or school staff.

Special caution for travellers from Himachal & or states with high positivity

directions were issued during a Covid review meeting hosted by Captain Amarinder Singh, who raised concern over positivity in Himachal Presh and or parts of country, which has caused positivity in Punjab to rise marginally to 0.2% in last week, with RO rising to 1.05 per cent. He also quoted a Cambridge study, which says cases are expected to increase in next 64 days.

10,000 daily tests should be conducted across schools: Chief Sec Mahajan

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan on August 11 directed concerned authorities to ramp up testing across state. In her order, she h particularly stressed upon conducting a large number of RT-PCR tests in schools on daily basis. In COVID-19 review meeting, she asked authorities from health and education department to ensure that at least 10,000 daily tests are conducted across schools in order to trace infection early for mitigating spre of virus among children. She also directed that a target of 40,000 RT-PCR test samples per day must be achieved and testing shall be furr increased if COVID cases rise.

COVID-19 situation in Punjab

Punjab recorded 35 new cases of COVID -19 and 0 death in last 24 hours, as reported by health ministry. cases have shown a dip, after surging 50% last week.  total number of active COVID-19 cases in state now stands at 568 with 16334 people losing ir lives to dely virus.

Image Credit: ANI