Chandigarh, September 9, 2020: The Covid-19 situation in the state was reviewed by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on September 7 and based on discussions in the review meeting, it has been decided to relax some of the restrictions in urban areas as under:
(1) Curfew (All cities):
• Sunday curfew: Total Curfew on Sundays in all the 167′ municipal towns of the State upto 30.09.2020. No curfew on Saturdays.
• Night curfew: Movement of individuals for all the non-essential activities shall remain prohibited between 9:30 pm to 5:00 am within municipal limits of all the cities of Punjab throughout the week.
However, essential activities and services, movement of persons and goods on National and State Highways, inter-state & infra state movement of persons and unloading of cargo and travel of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and aeroplanes will be permitted. Essential services include services related to health, agriculture and related activities, dairying and fishery activities, banks, ATMs, stock markets, insurance companies, on-line teaching, public utilities, public transport, industry in multiple-shifts, construction industry, offices both private and government etc.
Health care institutions viz. hospitals, labs, diagnostic centre and chemist shops are allowed to operate on all 7 days of the week throughout the day i.e. will remain open 24×7 hours.
Movement of persons and students in connection with all kinds of examinations, admission/entrance tests conducted by Universities, Boards, Public Service Commissions and other institutions shall be permitted.
(3) Vehicles (throughout the State):
• Only 3 persons including driver to be allowed in a 4-wheeler vehicle.
• All buses and public transport vehicles to allow seating for only half (50%) capacity with no person standing.
(4) Ban on gatherings:
Section 144 of the Cr.PC be invoked and orders be issued to
prohibit all social, political, religious gatherings, protosts and
demonstrations throughout the State. However, gatherings relating to marriages and funerals shall be allowed only for 30 persons and 20 persons respectively.
Strict action be taken against the organisers and main participants for violation of orders u/s 144 of Cr.PC.
(5) Government and private offices:
Government and private offices shall operate with 50% staff strength till the end of the month i.e. not more than 50% of employees would be permitted on a particular day. The Heads of Offices would restrict public visitors in Government offices and encourage use of on-line Punjab Grievance Redressaf System (PGRS) and other on-line tools so as to minimise person to person contact in offices.