Hindustan Times (Bathinda)

Shops selling non-essentials closed in Punjab till May 15

No entry to state without a negative Covid-19 report not older than 72 hours or an over two-weekold vaccinatio­n certificat­e

- HT Correspond­ent letterschd@hindustant­imes.com

CHANDIGARH : The Punjab government on Sunday directed that shops selling non-essential goods will remain closed and nobody will be allowed to enter the state without a negative Covid report not older than 72 hours or an over 2-week-old vaccinatio­n certificat­e till May 15.

The state government has already imposed a night curfew from 6pm till 5am and weekend lockdown from 6pm on Friday till 5am on Monday.

The order on additional restrictio­ns was issued by the department of home and justice which also said that chemist shops and those dealing with supply of milk, bread, vegetables, dairy and poultry products such as eggs, meat, mobile repair, etc will be allowed to open. There will be no restrictio­ns on laboratori­es, nursing homes and all other medical establishm­ents.

The four-wheelers, including cars and taxis, would not be allowed to have more than two passengers. “No pillion riders will be allowed on motorcycle­s and scooters except those belonging to the same family or living in the same house,” reads the order. However, vehicles carrying patients to hospitals are exempt from these restrictio­ns.

All government offices and banks have been directed to work at 50% strength other than those where officials are involved in pandemic management. Further, no gathering of more than 10 persons will be allowed even for weddings, cremations or funerals whereas all religious places would be closed at 6pm. The district authoritie­s have been instructed to ensure social distancing in sabzi mandis that would be open only to fruit and vegetable wholesaler­s.

RT-PCR testing of road and street vendors has been ordered. The department has also suggested that appeals be made to farmer unions not to hold gatherings and restrict number of protesters to token presence at toll plazas, petrol pumps and malls, etc.

 ?? SAMEER SEHGAL /HT ?? Workers rest outside closed shops during the weekend lockdown in Amritsar on Sunday.
SAMEER SEHGAL /HT Workers rest outside closed shops during the weekend lockdown in Amritsar on Sunday.

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