Coronavirus rings alarm bells as Punjab clamps Section 144

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered imposition of Section 144, thus prohibiting all gatherings above five people, except in wedding and bhog ceremonies. He also warned of strict action against the violators.

Punjab was compelled to press the panic button in the last 24-hours with infections touching a new grim milestone daily. On Thursday, the state witnessed yet another single-day highest spike of 1,741 cases. In the past 10 days, the state has added 13,438 cases and 55 people lost their lives because of the virus.

The CM announced the curbs during his Facebook Live interaction programme #Askcaptain.

On Thursday, Punjab had ordered several restrictions, including weekend lockdown, daily night curfew from 7pm to 5am in all cities/towns, shutdown of 50% non-essential shops in five worst-hit cities, only 50% workforce in all offices, capping occupants in private cars to three. Amarinder said he will not hesitate in taking harsher steps to save lives in the coming days as the projections of spread are still on the higher side.