COVID-19: Punjab CM announces complete lockdown till March 31

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced a complete lockdown across the state till March 31 as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Chandigarh: As a preventive step to counter the coronavirus spread, the Punjab government on Sunday announced complete lockdown across the state till March 31, becoming the second state after Rajasthan for enforcing the shutdown.

A decision in this regard was taken by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

All essential government services will continue and shops selling essential items such as milk, food items, medicines, etc will be open, the Chief Minister Tweeted.

"All DCs (Deputy Commissioners) and SSPs (Senior Superintendent of Police) have been directed to implement the restrictions immediately," he added.

However, there will be no ban on essential services including the supply of groceries, beverages, LPG, health services, banking services, among other things.

Copy of the order issued by the Government of Punjab underlining the essential services that will remain operational during the lockdown

Earlier, there was a lockdown in some coronavirus-hit districts.

IANS report