As a precautionary measure in the wake of Coronavirus outbreak in the country, the Chandigarh Administration on Tuesday shut down city’s prime tourist spot-Rock Garden- for visitors till March 31.
The sculpture kingdom—Rock Garden—is visited by a large number of domestic and foreign tourists on a daily basis.
“Keeping in view the spread of Coronavirus and the interest of health and safety of general public, the Rock Garden shall remain closed for general public and tourists with immediate effect till March 31,” stated an order issued by UT Administration on Tuesday evening.
A day before, the Administration had shut down cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, pubs, spa centres, video gaming centres and coaching centres till March 31.
A gathering of more than 100 people in any event, meeting or function including religious was also banned in the union territory of Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, the Administration issued a modified order on Tuesday exempting the wedding related events from the ban on gathering of upto 100 persons. However, the hosts have been requested to avoid the gathering beyond 100 persons till March 31, stated a fresh order issued by Administration.
Pubs which serves food and do not allow close physical interactions i.e. dancing etc are also exempted till March 31, the order added.
Till Tuesday evening, no positive case of Coronavirus has been reported in Chandigarh, which is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Earlier, the Administration had on March 13 ordered to shutdown all the government and private schools in the union territory till March 31. The Administration had also approved the notification under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 under Section 2, 3 and 4 to enforce the preventive steps for control of COVID 19.
RELIGIOUS LEADERS EXHORTED TO SENSITIZE PEOPLE
A day after banning gathering of more than 100 people in the city, the Chandigarh Administration on Tuesday convened a meeting with heads of different religions.
Apart from this, screening of employees and visitors began at UT Secretariat, Sector 9 and Deputy Commissioner officer, Sector 17 here.
During the meeting with religious leaders, UT Deputy Commissioner Mandip Singh Brar exhorted them to sensitize the people about keeping precautions.
The DC requested the religious leaders to desist from holding gatherings in excess of 100 people till March 31 and keep the sanitizers at the entry points of their respective religious places for ensuring the protection of the devotees.
Dr Inderjeet Singh Gill from Health Department, Chandigarh briefed that even if a gathering has to be held, it should be ensured that whether sitting or standing, people should maintain one metre distance from each other. If anybody is suffering from cough or cold then it would be better to wear triple layer masks for the one’s own protection, and of others, he informed.
As the elderly persons visit the religious places more often, they are more prone to risk, so it is advised that they must keep themselves home, he added.
Dr Inderjeet further said that India is placed in stage 2 as far as Coronavirus is concerned which means that the disease has reached the country, therefore it is advisable to follow the advice of doctors and take all precautionary measures.