Coronavirus rings alarm bells as Punjab clamps Section 144

Appeals to political parties to avoid protests; says organisers of such gatherings will be arrested for putting people’s lives at risk

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.

CHANDIGARH : Cautioning people about following the movement restrictions strictly, chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday said projections by experts reveal that Covid-19 cases in Punjab are likely to cross the grim milestone of 1 lakh if the state continued with its present rate of infection.

“At this rate, cases may go up to 64,000 by September 3 and cross 1 lakh by September 15. Deaths will also increase with experts estimating over 1,500 fatalities by the first week of September,” the CM said during his weekly Facebook interaction programme ‘#AskCaptain’.

Hoping that the people will listen to him and take due precautions, he added, “We don’t have to let Punjab go the way the United States did,” he added.

Stressing that testing and timely treatment was the key to curbing the pandemic spread, Amarinder said it was important for people to report symptoms to hospitals within 72 hours of their onset.

“I appeal to all political parties to avoid gatherings, including protests and dharnas. In case of any violation of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the organisers putting people’s lives at risk will be

› Unfortunately, people are taking things lightly now, forcing the government to take harsh measures, some of which were announced yesterday.

CAPT AMARINDER SINGH , Punjab chief minister

arrested,” he warned.

The chief minister also requested the religious and community leaders to ask their followers to take all precautions and not violate the restrictions in the interests of the state and its people. He also directed the police to strictly enforce the prescribed number of people in gatherings and social distancing at marriage and bhog ceremonies.

“Unfortunately, people are taking things lightly now, forcing the government to take harsh measures, some of which were announced yesterday. We can imagine the situation as 3,000-6,000 people are being challaned daily for not wearing masks,” said the CM.

In response to a question from a Ludhiana resident, Amarinder categorically denied receiving any money from the central government for the Covid-19 fight.