Punjab orders complete 'lockdown' in the state; What's opened, what's closed?
Punjab Government on Sunday declared a complete 'lockdown' in the state till March 31. Punjab has reported 13 cases so far. Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has issued a list of the essential commodities as per the provisions in the Essential Commodities Act 1955 as applicable in the state of Punjab include five items groups food grains, edible oils, vegetables, and other items. Further added essential commodities are masks and hand sanitizer.
Apart from these, in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, these services have been declared as essential services including supply of groceries, beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking water, fodder, all food processing units supplying processed food items, dispensing of petrol, diesel, CNG at designated petrol/diesel/CNG pumps/dispensing units.
It also includes rice shellers milling the paddy, Milk plants, dairy units, fodder making units and cattle fields, the supply of LPG (domestic & commercial), medicines and other pharmaceuticals from medical stores. Health services, manufacturing of medical and health equipment, telecom operators and the agencies appointed by them to ensure communication services, insurance companies, banks and ATMs, Post Offices, will also remain open.
The loading and unloading of wheat and rice for receipt in godowns and dispatch against Central pool/DCP/OMSS, transportation of essential commodities/essential service and stock articles required for procurement and storage of food grains will be provided. Meanwhile, the movement of harvesting combines, harvesting operations, agriculture implements making units have been made essential.
Also Read | Coronavirus Live Updates: Punjab Government orders complete lockdown
On the other hand, cinema halls, shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, and clubs will remain closed till March 31, as per the orders. Likewise, schools, colleges, and universities in Punjab will remain closed till March 31. Coronavirus has claimed 5 lives in India, one each from Delhi, Karnataka, Punjab and two from Maharashtra. Meanwhile, India has reported 324 confirmed cases so far, the Health Ministry said.
-PTC News
