Acting upon the advisory received from the Centre to check spread of COVID19, the Punjab Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Local Bodies Minister Brahm Mohindra issued directions to close down all the shopping complexes, malls, museums, local weekly Kisan Mandis besides issuing advisory for all the religious institutions and deras to postpone congregations till March 31, 2020.
Complying with the central advisory, the GoM has also decided to restrict the gathering at marriage functions at marriage palaces. Directions were issued to the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the gathering at any marriage palaces does not increase beyond 50 persons. Likewise the DCs will also ensure that all the restaurants, hotels, dhabas and food courts in their respective areas implement Hand Washing Protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces besides ensuring one metre distance between persons and tables.
All the shopping complexes and malls, cinemas will remain closed in the state till March 31 but the chemists and grocery shops in the malls have been exempted from the shut down. Similarly all the local weekly Kisan Mandis in the state have been closed while allowing the rehriwalas to sell vegetables in the streets for the public convenience.
Directions were also issued to the school education department and administrative bodies of other private educational institutes to postpone the examinations. In case there is dire need of conducting the examinations, the particular institute and school would inform the district administration and would also ensure that one meter distance is maintained between two students.
Reviewing the present situation in the state, the GoM took stock of the availability of prescribed medicines and deployment of medical and para medical staff at the crucial junctures. The GoM expressed serious view of the fact that COVID-19 has literally brought Europe at a standstill and all the business, education, religious institutions in Europe have been shut down.
