Streamline curfew, facilitate supply of essential items: CM

CHANDIGARH: Chief minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday gave fresh directions to police and civil administration to streamline the ongoing curfew and facilitate the supply of essential items in the state in view of the 21-day national lockdown.

The CM constituted a committee under the additional chief secretary (industry and commerce) to oversee procurement for all Covid-19 related items.

Stressing on the need for timely supply of essential items and equipment like personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, masks and medicines etc to government hospitals, primary health centres and community health centres, he asked the deputy commissioners to contact the health department and the Punjab Health Systems Corporation to ensure early procurement.

He said volunteers may also be engaged, if necessary, for ensuring quick door-to-door delivery of essential services and commodities. The providers of essential services like hawkers, delivery boys or institutions should be allowed to operate for fixed duration but on specific permission and after observing required health safeguards, he added.

On the CM’s orders, revised curfew management guidelines were issued to all divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, police commissioners/SSPs, besides senior officials tasked with managing the situation.

As per the revised curfew management guidelines, government offices that have been designated in Government of India’s order will be allowed to remain open with skeletal staff. To ensure supply of other essential services, some state government offices may also remain open with minimal staff. Employees of the central and state, who will be required to report on duty, will be allowed to travel from home to office on their institutional identity cards and curfew passes will not be needed.