COURTESY HT JULY 14

Punjab govt slaps ban on all public gatherings
STRICT STANCE: FIRs to be registered against violators
HT Correspondent

letterschd@hindustantimes.com

Chandigarh : Stepping up its fight against Covid-19, the Punjab government on Monday barred all public gatherings, while restricting social gatherings to five attendees and marriages/other social functions to 30 instead of the present 50.

Mandatory first information reports (FIRs) shall be filed against those found violating the curb on public gatherings

The revised guidelines come a day after chief minister Amarinder Singh announced to impose more stringent curbs in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the state.

A detailed notification issued by the government said joint teams of police and civil administration should strictly enforce the restrictions on social gatherings (restricted to five under Section 144 imposed in all districts) as well as weddings and social functions.

The management of marriage halls, hotels and commercial spaces will be held responsible in case the guidelines are violated and they could face suspension of their licences. They will have to certify that adequate arrangements for ventilation of indoor spaces have been made, the notification added. The state government has also partnered with IIT Chennai experts to intensify surveillance, using technology in order to identify super-spreader gatherings in the past that have resulted in spread of the infection, to guide future action.

The new guidelines also direct strict enforcement of the health department advisory on air conditioning and ventilation/air circulation. Public dealing in offices may be curtailed to cater to need based and urgent issues..

To ensure optimum utilisation of health infrastructure, asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic persons with no comorbidities or vulnerabilities will have to be in COVID care centres/home isolation where applicable.

Beds in Level 2 and 3 facilities will not be used to cater to such patients