After a surge in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the region, the Chandigarh Administration on Monday pushed for a weekend curfew in the tricity. However, the proposal has been rejected by the Punjab Government while Haryana Government has shown reluctance to impose it.
During the review meeting held by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore on Monday, it was decided to go for weekend curfew to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the city as well as satellite townships of Mohali (Punjab) and Panchkula (Haryana). A letter was also sent to both the Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana to agree to UT’s proposal for imposition of weekend curfew in the tri-city since weekend curfew only in Chandigarh will not be effective, unless it is simultaneously imposed in Mohali and Panchkula.
The UT’ letter stated, “Keeping in view the sudden increase in the number of COVID positive cases, the Administration is planning to impose a total curfew on weekends from 7 pm on Friday to 6 am on Monday. Such curfew will be effective only if it is imposed in the entire tricity which includes Panchkula and Mohali. Your kind consent/opinion is sought on this proposal.”
“Punjab Government has rejected the proposal to impose curfew in Mohali during weekends while the Haryana Government after showing reluctance has informed to take up the matter with the Chief Minister,” said a senior UT officer.
He said that during the meeting held under Administrator, a view had emerged that since there is lack of adequate compliance about social distancing and mask wearing, there is no option but to go for total curfew in the weekends in the entire tri-city to break the chain and arrest the sudden surge in the cases in tri-city.
The UT Administration will take final decision on this on Wednesday, he added.
20 FRESH CASES IN CHANDIGARH
Chandigarh on Monday reported 20 fresh COVID-19 positive cases taking the union territory’s total tally to 737.
The fresh cases which also included an infant have been reported from Sectors 7, 22, 29, 40, 45, 49, 61, 63, Daria, Dadumajra, Dhanas, Manimajra and Bapudham colony in Sector 26. Of the fresh cases detected, 10 were contacts of previously tested positive patients.
“The total number of positive cases stood at 737. This includes 207 active cases,” stated Chandigarh Health Department’s evening bulletin.
30 patients were declared cured and discharged from various treatment facilities in the city. 518 patients have so far recovered from the virus in the city and the recovery rate stood at 70 percent on Monday, it stated. A day before, Chandigarh’s total tally had crossed the 700-mark. On July 18, the city had recorded its biggest single-day spike with 31 persons being found infected with the virus.