Chandigarh: With Punjab continuing to report high Covid positivity, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday ordered extension of all the existing restrictions up to May 31, with directions for strict enforcement of all curbs.
The Deputy Commissioners will continue to determine the opening of shops in a staggered manner and enforce other restrictions to check the spread of Covid, especially in rural areas, Amarinder Singh said, adding that they can also make suitable amendments based on the local condition as long as these do not dilute the state's overall restrictions.
The district authorities shall continue to ensure strict implementation of all directives on Covid appropriate behaviour, including social distancing norms, regulating crowds in market places and public transport, and imposition of penalties prescribed for violation of norms and restrictions.
Reviewing the state's Covid situation at a high-level meeting, the Chief Minister said while the restrictions so far had shown results, with some decline in day-on-day positivity and cases coming down from around 9,000 to 6,000 in this period, there was need to extend the same in view of the high positivity of 13.1 per cent as of the May 9-15 period, with CFR standing at 2.4.
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He also directed the district administrations to investigate complaints of fleecing of patients by some private hospitals, warning that these would be shut down if they continue to indulge in such practices.
Such cases have to be strictly dealt with, he said, directing the police to crack down on those found indulging in hoarding or black-marketing of any Covid-related essentials or medicines.