Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday issued orders for a complete lockdown in the state with immediate effect till March 31 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Only essential services will be allowed to function. All Deputy Commissioners and SSPs have been directed to implement the restrictions immediately.
“Ordered statewide lock down till 31st March to check spread of #Covid19 All essential Govt services will continue & shops selling essential items such as milk, food items, medicines, etc will be open. All DCs & SSPs have been directed to implement the restrictions immediately,” Capt Amarinder Singh tweeted.
Amarinder also welcomed government’s decision to allow private labs to test for coronavirus.
“Welcome Govt of India’s decision to allow private labs to test for #Covid_19. Quick, accurate & cost-effective testing is an imp weapon in our fight against this pandemic. We have requested ICMR to also approve a Virology Lab for Faridkot Medical College to facilitate testing,” Amarinder said.
On Saturday, the Punjab government ordered a lockdown till Wednesday in several districts. But a new order has put in place a lockdown till March 31 in entire state.
Today, the country is observing unprecedented shutdown ‘Janta Curfew’, called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to stop the spread of coronavirus disease.
Singh, earlier in a tweet said, “I am sure entire Punjab will observe #JantaCurfewMarch22. Appeal to all Punjabis to faithfully abide by the restrictions being imposed to arrest the spread of #Covid19 and to all travellers from abroad to follow home quarantine strictly.”
“Urge trade and business to cooperate & not indulge in price escalation or hoarding. Two weeks of self-control & discipline can help save us all. We the Punjabis have always led the nation from the forefront and it is time to prove our mettle to the country again,” he added.
