All non-essential shops to remain closed in Punjab till May 15

— HOME DEPARTMENT IMPOSES ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS REGARDING COVID

— All non-essential shops to remain closed till May 15

— Anybody entering state has to show Negative Covid report or a Vaccination certificate

— Only two passengers allowed to travel in four-wheeler, pillion rider other than family member not allowed on two-wheeler

Chandigarh, May 2:

The Home Department on Sunday, imposed additional restrictions regarding COVID-19 including all shops selling non-essential items to remain closed till May 15.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson said that the Home Department has issued detailed order imposing additional restrictions to be strictly imposed throughout the State w.e.f. May 2, 2021 to May 15, 2021.

The spokesperson said that essential items including Chemist shops and shops dealing with supply of essential goods, milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy and poultry products like eggs, meat, mobile repair etc have been exempted from Covid restrictions however subject to adherence of Covid protocols. There will be no restriction on laboratories, nursing homes and all other medical establishments.

The spokesperson further informed that nobody can enter the State whether by air, rail or road without either a Negative Covid report not more than 72 hours old, or a Vaccination certificate (at least one dose) over 2 weeks old.

All Government offices as well as banks will work at 50% strength other than those where officials are involved in Covid management, said the spokesperson adding that the Deputy Commissioners are authorised to draft services of any official for Covid management and related duties.

The spokesperson said that all Four-Wheeler Passenger vehicles, including Cars and taxis, not allowed to seat more than 2 passengers. However, Vehicles carrying patients to hospitals exempted.

Similarly, No Pillion riders are allowed on scooters and motorcycles except those belonging to the same family and living in the same house.

Likewise, No gathering of more than 10 persons to be allowed including for weddings/cremations/funerals.

The spokesperson said that the villages have been asked to organise Thikri Pehras to ensure that ‘Night Curfew’ and ‘Weekend Curfew’ Orders are complied with and social distancing to be maintained in Sabzi Mandis, which would be open only to Fruit and Vegetable Wholesalers.

Kisan Unions and Religious leaders are also urged to not hold gatherings and restrict number of protestors to token presence at Toll Plazas, Petrol Pumps, Malls etc.

The order further reads that the religious places to be closed at 6 pm daily and no overcrowding should take place at Gurudwaras, Mandirs, Masjids, Churches etc.

The spokesperson said that district administration will ensure strict action against those found hoarding Oxygen Cylinders etc. RT-PCR testing of Road and Streetwise vendors, such as Rehriwallahs etc. to be carried out.

The daily Night Curfew from 6 pm to 5 am and Weekend curfew from 6.00 pm on Friday upto 5.00 am on Monday throughout the state will continue and no vehicle to ply except for medical purposes. with curfew pass

The Number in public transport (buses, taxis, autos) has been restricted to 50% of the capacity. Transport and civil officials, along with police personnel, to constitute flying squads to enforce.

The spokesperson said that all bars, cinema halls, Gyms, spas, swimming pools, coaching centres, sports complexes to remain closed while all restaurants (including in hotels), Cafes, Coffee Shops, fast food outlets, Dhabas etc. to also remain closed for dine-in and may function only for take-away and Home delivery, which is allowed till 9pm. No seating inside Restaurants, Fast Food Joint, Coffee Shops etc. to be allowed, he added.

All Weekly markets (such as apni-mandis) will also remain closed and there shall be a complete ban on all social, cultural or sports gatherings and related functions, including government functions, such as inaugurations, foundation stone laying ceremony, etc. unless prior permission of Deputy Commissioner has been obtained.

The Spokesperson said that there shall be a complete ban across the State on all political gatherings. For any gathering organised in violation of these orders, FIRs will be registered against the organisers and participants as well as against the owners of the venue and the tent houses under the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemic Diseases Act besides sealing such venues for 3 months.

Persons who have attended large gatherings anywhere (religious/ political/social) to be mandatorily home quarantined for 5 days and tested as per protocol. All educational institutions i.e. schools and colleges to remain closed but the teaching and non-teaching staff of Government schools to attend duty.

However, all the medical and nursing colleges may continue to remain open and all recruitment exams to be postponed, unless it relates to recruitment of Covid management related manpower.

Similarly, all Private Offices, including Service Industry, such as offices of Architects, Chartered Accountants, Insurance Companies etc., allowed to ‘Work from Home’ only.

While, in Government offices – Health/ frontline workers and employees over 45 years who have not got at least one vaccine dose in last 15 days or more, should be encouraged to take leave and stay home until then. Employees under 45 years to be allowed only on basis of negative RT-PCR not more than 5 days old or else should take leave and stay home.

The order also directs to increase micro-containment zones in high positivity areas and strictly enforced. Special Monitors to be designated for enforcement.

Grievance redressal by all the government offices shall be preferred through virtual/on-line modes and Public dealings be discouraged as far as possible and allowed only where deemed unavoidable. Likewise, Revenue Department shall also endeavour to limit appointments to public to bare minimum for execution of Conveyance Deeds for sale and purchase of properties.

Meanwhile, the district authorities have been asked to ensure strict implementation of all the extant directives of MHA/State Government on Covid appropriate behaviour including social distancing norm of minimum 6 feet distance (Do Gaz Ki Doori), regulating crowds in market places and public transport, and imposition of penalties prescribed for violation of Covid appropriate behaviour like wearing of face masks and spitting in public places etc..