Punjab seeks Rs 150 Cr from Centre for construction of isolation wards to fight Covid-19

As number of Coronavirus cases surging in country, Punjab Health Minister BS Sidhu said on Monday that state has appealed to Centre to release a sum of Rs 150 crore for construction of isolation wards and or buildings necessary to treat virus affected patients in state.

"As we have so many NRIs in Punjab and 90,000 people have come here in last three-four months, we have asked for Rs 150 crore from Centre to help us build infrastructure as well as for isolation wards and or things if re are more cases," Sidhu said while ding that five MPs met Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan regarding matter.

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In a bid to arrest spre of virus, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday ordered a state-wide curfew, making it first state to resort to such an extreme and exceptional measure to fight COVID-19. state has also initiated legal action against violators of home quarantine. Punjab CM has said that all measures are being taken for larger good of everyone.

"While I am happy that everyone is cooperating, I will t let a few threaten safety measures being taken against COVID-19," he said in a tweet.

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As country grapples with Coronavirus, 467 confirmed cases with 9 deaths have been reported in India, while 34 have been cured and discharged according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.  Centre anunced stringent measures to combat vel Coronavirus crisis. For instance, international flights were barred to land in India from March 22 for a week. Moreover, Centre has directed state governments to vise  people below of 10 and above of 65 to remain at home. state governments have also been instructed to enforce work from home for private-sector employees barring for those working in emergency or essential services.

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On March 22, Janta Curfew was observed where people did t come on ro from 7 am to 9 pm. Currently, a total lockdown has been anunced in 19 states and union territories. On or hand, 6 states and union territories have placed only some areas under lockdown. On Monday, it was declared that domestic flights would also t be operational from midnight of March 24 until March 31. 

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