Punjab CM orders stricter lockdown on weekends, public holidays

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered strict implementation of lockdown on weekends and public holidays as the state continues to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision has been taken amid concerns over the deadly virus reaching the community transmission stage in Punjab.

There are projections indicating that the peak in the state is still two months away.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Punjab reached 2,887 with 82 more people testing positive in the last 24 hours.

Singh asked Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta to ensure strict implementation of COVID-19 directives to prevent the gathering of large crowds.

He further reiterated that tough measures were needed in view of the mounting COVID-19 cases in the state, adding that strict protocols were the only way to fight the pandemic considering that there is no early vaccine in sight.

Singh also mulled over mandatory testing certification, for those coming from Delhi. He pointed out that many who have come from outside have behaved irresponsibly by not reporting to health authorities, and therefore it may introduce mandatory testing for people coming into Punjab from other states.

The DGP was also instructed to ensure the strict implementation of home-quarantine.

Officials from the health department told the chief minister that early diagnosis and increased testing were crucial in tackling the crisis.

The situation in Punjab worsened as the doubling rate in the state worsened from 22 days on May 31 to 15 days on June 10. More than 500 people tested positive in the last ten days.