COURTESY HT JULY 23

No weekend curfew in Chandigarh
TOUGH RULES: Authorities to enforce strict social distancing norms in city
Munieshwer A Sagar

munieshwer.sagar@htlive.com

Chandigarh : Despite a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases over the last fortnight, the UT administration has once again stepped back from imposing a weekend curfew in the city and will not be restricting crowds at public places such as the Sukhna Lake.

Both the proposals were under consideration for some time, but during the war room review chaired by Punjab governor and UT administrator VPS Badnore on Wednesday, decisions were taken to identify micro-containment zones across the city and depute more officials at public places for stricter enforcement of social distancing.

The city has seen a jump in Covid-19 cases this month, with 29 people reported positive on Wednesday, taking the count to 780. On putting off weekend curfew plans, UT adviser Manoj Parida said, “The proposal was discussed with doctors, officers, traders associations and political leaders. Doctors were of the opinion that a two-day curfew would not help break the chain as the incubation period of the virus was of five days. Traders were also not in its favour as it would impact businesses.” Also, with Raksha Bandan being celebrated on Monday, shutting down the city on Saturday and Sunday did not make sense, Parida added.

Badnore at the meeting stressed on strict implementation of social distancing and mask wearing in public places, screening at the borders and strict action against those violating curfew orders from 10pm to 5 am.

Markets where major violations were found would be closed for safety of residents, the administrator warned. Micro-containment would also be created where 14-day perimeter control would be done instead of 28 days as done previously, following the advice of the Affected Area Committee. Also, instead of declaring entire localities or colonies as containment zones, only affected houses would be sealed, it was learnt

osal was discussed with doctors, officers, traders associations and political leaders. Doctors were of the opinion that a two-day curfew would not help break the chain as the incubation period of the virus was of five days. Traders were also not in its favour as it would impact businesses.”

Also, with Raksha Bandan being celebrated on Monday, shutting down the city on Saturday and Sunday did not make sense, Parida added.

As Punjab and Haryana had said no to UT’s weekend curfew proposal, “if was felt that a fresh view on this issue will be taken next week,” he said.

FOCUS ON ENFORCING SOCIAL DISTANCING NORMS

Badnore at the meeting stressed on strict implementation of social distancing and mask wearing in public places, screening at the borders and strict action against those violating curfew orders from 10 pm to 5 am.

The administrator directed police, revenue and municipal officials carry out more field inspections to implement social distancing and face mask norms.

The municipal corporation commissioner and deputy commissioner (DC) were also asked by Badnore to carry out surprise checks in various markets.

Markets where major violations were found would be closed for safety of residents, the administrator warned.

After the meeting, DC Mandip Singh Brar and senior superintendent of police Nilambari Jagadale constituted teams including SDMs, DSPs, incident commanders and MC officials to carry out safety awareness drives around the city.

MICRO-CONTAINMENT ZONES

Micro-containment would also be created where 14-day perimeter control would be done instead of 28 days as done previously, following the advice of the Affected Area Committee. Also, instead of declaring entire localities or colonies as containment zones, only affected houses would be sealed, it was learnt

FROM THE WAR ROOM

Decisions taken at Wednesday’s meeting chaired by UT administrator VPS Badnore

DECISIONS DEFERRED

Weekend curfew

Restrictions in public places such as Sukhna Lake

MEASURES TO BE TAKEN

Identification of micro-containment zones

More UT personnel to be deputed for ensuring social distancing, wearing of masks at public places

screening of persons coming into the city at the borders

inspections in markets