Punjab government extends curfew amid the war against coronavirus
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday ordered sealing of the state’s borders while announcing the extension of the curfew till April 14. The Chief Minister also promised special insurance for the Punjab Police personnel and sanitation workers engaged in the battle against coronavirus, on the lines of the scheme announced by the Government of India for frontline health workers, if the Centre does not concede the state’s demand for these covers.
Meanwhile, Captain Amarinder Singh asked the Finance Minister to come out with a financial plan, to overcome the coronavirus crisis, and ensure an uninterrupted medical and essentials supply pipeline in the current battle, which he said would be a long-drawn one and would need more support from the Government of India.
Likewise, the Chief Minister also allowed the Local Bodies Department to extend the services of the 2000-odd sanitation workers, by three months, due to retire on March 31, in an order to deal with the prevailing situation.
During a video conference to review the current situation in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and the curfew restrictions in the state, the Chief Minister directed all the concerned departments to intensify their efforts to check the spread of the pandemic and ensure that all essential supplies and services are maintained. He also ordered strict enforcement of the curfew, especially in rural areas, amid reports that gatherings continued to take place in villages.
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All restrictions should be strictly enforced till April 14, after which the state will decide in line with the Government of India’s further decision, said Captain Amarinder. Adding, he said that the lockdown was the only way to prevent the spread of the disease.
Captain Amarinder Singh also said that the state was fully prepared to deal with any contingency and urged all government departments to continue the good work they had been doing over the past several days.
-PTC News
