With the State’s positivity rate touching 6.49 per cent, the Punjab Government on Tuesday imposed night curfew across the State from 10 pm to 5 am till January 15; shut all educational institutions; allowed cinema halls and restaurants to operate at 50 per cent capacity, among other restrictions.
Witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases, the State Government prohibited the movement of people for all non-essential activities within the municipal limits of all cities and towns during the curfew hours.
The district authorities have been asked to issue prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and ensure strict compliance with the night curfew.
As per the orders issued by the State Home Department, the essential activities like operation of multiple shifts at industries, offices (both Government and private), movement of persons and goods on national and State highways, loading and unloading of cargo, and travel of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and flights are permitted.
All educational institutions will also be closed for offline classes, however, they are expected to stick to the academic schedule through online teaching. Medical and nursing colleges, however, are permitted to function normally with offline classes.
Bars, cinemas halls, multiplexes, malls, restaurants, spas, museums, and zoos will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent of their capacity, provided all the staff are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Sports complexes, stadiums, swimming pools, gyms will be closed (except those used for training of sportspersons for participation in national or international sports events or for organizing national or international sports events). No spectators or visitors are allowed in stadiums.
The orders also stated that Air-conditioned buses will run at 50 per cent of capacity.
At the same time, only fully vaccinated staff will be allowed to attend the Government and private offices, working spaces, factories, and industries. Following the rule of “no mask, no service”, the orders made it clear that no services should be provided in offices to people who were not wearing masks properly.
The district authorities have been advised to impose additional restrictions, if deemed necessary, based on their assessment of the situation, but are not allowed to dilute the ones imposed by the State Government.
Wearing of masks by all persons in public places, including workplaces, is mandatory and must be strictly observed and enforced, said the order, adding that social distancing for all the activities shall always be maintained.