The return of the natives to Punjab from Rajasthan and Nanded in Maharashtra has led to curfew extension by another 14 days in the State till May 17. As pilgrims and students continue to pour in from both the States, the Punjab Government was on Wednesday virtually left with no alternative but to extend the restrictions in movement for another two weeks.
The State Government, only a day before, made 21-day State quarantine mandatory for all those returning to the State from other places to check further spread of Covid-19. Out of the approximately 2,500 returnees, 35 from Nanded and four from Kota have been tested positive so far, and it’s still counting. As per Government sources, “10 per cent from Nanded are positive till now”.
“Out of the total 33 cases tested positive today, 24 are those who have returned from Nanded Sahib while four are from Kota in Rajasthan. Yesterday, 11 Nanded returnees were tested positive,” a senior Government official told The Pioneer, requesting anonymity.
Referring to the situation after return of large number of Punjabis stranded in other States due to lockdown, the CM on Wednesday said that it was his Government’s duty to bring them back but they would have to be quarantined for 21 days.
He said that the State had made arrangements for their quarantine in all district.
“The problem has aggravated in Punjab due to large number of NRIs who came home, followed by the attendees of the Nizamuddin event. The State could not afford to let those coming from outside again let things spiral out of control. The quarantine for those coming home from other States is essential for the protection of the people,” he said.
As per the protocol, as the bus, carrying Punjab residents, reach any district, everyone was sent to the State quarantine facility of that district and those who are “symptomatic” are taken to Phase 1 isolation facility. “All are tested whether symptomatic or not. After results, those who are negative are to be sent home for strict quarantine of 21 days, and those who were tested positive continue to be in the Isolation Facility Phase 1,” said the State’s Special Chief Secretary Karan Bir Singh Sidhu.
As per the Health Department’s latest guidelines, issued to all Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, Civil Surgeons and the Nodal Officers of Covid Care Centres, all people - returning to their native places in Punjab - are required to be quarantined and tested for Covid-19 infection.
“Most of the districts have created ‘Dedicated Quarantine Facilities’ in the districts to house these people. In case, these facilities fall short for the persons to be quarantined, district administration may use 50 per cent of the capacities of Covid Care Centres identified by them for the purpose of quarantining these people,” stated the guidelines while asking the authorities to make “all appropriate arrangements”.
Notably, Punjab was the first State to impose the curfew across State on April 23, before the nationwide lockdown was announced. Even before the Prime Minister announced extension in lockdown, the Chief Minister, on April 10, extended the curfew in the State till May 1.