With Punjab reporting two more corona positive cases on Monday and amidst reports of people defying lockdown orders from across the State, the Government on Monday imposed a “continuous” and “24 hours a day” curfew with “no relaxations” till further orders — becoming the first state to take an unprecedented step to deal with the situation arising out of the spread of deadly coronavirus.
The Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, after reviewing the situation with the Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh and Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta, announced full curfew with no relaxations “to tackle the prevailing war-like situation”.
Following this, the Deputy Commissioners issued orders accordingly in their respective districts bringing into effect the imposition of curfew. As per the orders, no relaxation has been provided, and any person required to be given relaxation will be so allowed specifically for a given period and purpose only with the Deputy Commissioner’s permission.
The “extreme and exceptional measure” in the battle against COVID-19 came in the wake of the apprehensions that the fatal virus may infect many people, especially keeping in view the reports that some persons contracted the infection at Hola Mohalla celebrations in Sri Anandpur Sahib earlier this month which was also attended by the corona-positive Baldev Singh who died on March 18.
“After lockdown came into effect, we received reports of people moving freely, not adhering to orders properly...shops were opened at many places and people were busy shopping and even on roads despite repeated requests to stay at home. Flag marches were also held at many places, even police forcibly closed down shops…But, considering this, it was felt that curfew is the only means to keep people indoors,” a senior government official told The Pioneer.
Soon as the orders were passed, there was a complete ban on movement. The Deputy Commissioners, in each district, had been authorized to issue passes, which would be time-specific and destination-specific. Only those with the passes would be allowed to move around, said the official.
Even for essential services, including doctors, chemists, and daily goods shops, it was mandatory to apply for permission, and they could run their operations only after that.
CM, in a video address to the people of Punjab, appealed to them to voluntarily adhere to the curfew imposed “in the larger interest of the state” while also warning of strict action against its any violation.
“I am forced to take this extreme step in the interest of the state,” said the CM pointing that he had received reports that people were moving around normally in towns, mohallas, and cities despite the lockdown that became effective this morning.
Appealing to the people for cooperation, CM said that the violation of lockdown by the people was “unacceptable” and it was the responsibility of the Government, and his duty as its head, to “save Punjab”.
Making it clear that the curfew would be continuous, spanning 24 hours a day, the Chief Minister said that only those with emergent needs would be allowed to go out, after taking due permission from their respective DCs, whose mobile numbers would be shared with the public.
“Difficult decisions need to be taken in difficult times,” said the Chief Minister, adding that it had become necessary to impose and enforce the curfew to survive these tough times. “Please listen to me, and bear with me,” he appealed to the people, emphasizing, “We must work shoulder to shoulder to fend off the crisis we are all facing”.
The State Government, in a revised order, further scaled-down the staff in government offices. The orders applied to the state headquarters and the district level offices. The heads of departments have been asked to keep skeleton staff as per the requirement.
Earlier the State Government had decided to adopt fortnightly duty roster for employees with 50 percent staff in one shift.