Night curfew timings advanced from 10 pm to 8 pm in Chandigarh
City to have weekend curfew from 8 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday
7-day curfew to be considered on Friday
Guv asks PGI to convert Infosys Sarai into temporary hospital
Chandigarh, April 20
The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh V.P. Singh Badnore while expressing serious concern about the alarming rate on which covid cases were increasing in UT, directed all medical institutions to enhance their capacity of beds and store an adequate quantity of medicines and equipment to handle the increasing number of patients.
Presiding over a war room meeting here on Tuesday, he directed PGIMER authorities to convert Infosys Sarai into a temporary hospital, where at least moderate patients could be kept and treated. He also suggested that some spare technical health staff should be deputed from PGIMER to GMCH-32 or MSH-16 Hospital, where temporary staff shortage is being faced. He directed better coordination among all three medical institutions, for optimal utilization of staff shortages.
The Administrator appealed to the retired doctors, medical staff and members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to come forward and coordinate with the health authorities in fighting corona in various capacities. He directed Principal Secretary Health to engage such persons on contractual basis, if necessary.
There will be a complete lockdown in the Union Territory on 21/04/2021 (Wednesday) and non-essential movement shall be prohibited.
There will be a weekend lockdown from 08.00 PM on Friday (23/04/2021) till 05.00 AM on Monday (26/04/2021).
The proposal regarding 7 days lockdown will be considered in the War Room meeting on Friday and a decision will be taken after taking into account the number of covid cases in the city.
The night curfew timings on the days of non-lockdown days will be from 08:00 PM to 05:00 AM; instead of 10:00 PM.
The Administrator directed the Police authorities to be extremely strict in enforcing lockdown instructions and the night curfew. All violators must be strictly dealt with. If necessary, the vehicles should be seized and a heavy fine should be imposed on those indulging in non-essential travel or those violating the covid protocol.
He directed Commissioner, Municipal Corporation to ensure that covid protocol is strictly followed in all market places including Apni Mandis. All public places should be properly sanitized. He appealed to the residents not to crowd the hospitals seeking admission. Only critical cases should be admitted as per medical advice. Mild covid patients should opt for home isolation.
He also appealed to the public representatives, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Market Associations, etc. to persuade all residents to take advantage of the vaccines being provided free by the government in various venues/dispensaries. He disclosed that Chandigarh Command Hospital has offered facilities to veterans for corona treatment and other medical care, if necessary. The facility should be utilized by the ex-servicemen.