May go for stricter curbs to check virus spread: CM

CHANDIGARH:EXPRESSING concern over the surge in the coronavirus cases and deaths in Punjab, chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday said he was not averse to imposing harsher restrictions to check further spread of the pandemic.

At a cabinet meeting held through video conferencing to review the Covid-19 situation in the state, the CM did not rule out imposing lockdown, especially in areas with spate of cases. However, economic activities will not be allowed to suffer, he clarified.

In his presentation on the coronavirus crisis, government’s expert advisory committee chairman Dr KK Talwar said the four districts of Ludhiana, Mohali, Jalandhar and Patiala were witnessing the maximum surge and stricter preventive measures to control the situation were needed there.

The situation in the state, he said, was grim, with over 31,000 cases and more than 800 fatalities. Deaths per million had also gone up to 27.2, and as many as 265 patients were on oxygen and 20 on ventilator, he said, underlining the need for early testing and treatment for saving lives. The state had reached 20,000 tests per day, including rapid antigen testing, he added.

Dr Talwar cited researchers to point out that strict adherence to wearing of masks for the next

We can’t rule out imposition of lockdown, especially in areas with spate of cases. But economic activities will not be allowed to suffer. CAPTAIN AMARINDER SINGH, CM

four weeks could help control the pandemic. Amarinder said the district and police officials were given strict directives to enforce the safety protocols.

MONTEK: DIDN’T SUGGEST STOPPING FREE POWER

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who is heading a committee of experts on revival of the state’s post-covid economy, told the cabinet that no suggestion was made on withdrawal of free power to farmers as was being projected by a section of the media. He clarified that a lot of misinformation was being spread in this respect.