- By James Kuanal
- Sun, 22 Mar 2020 11:02 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday enforced a complete lockdown in the state till March 31, in wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the country, reported news agency ANI.
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered complete lockdown in the state, in wake of Coronavirus, said Public Relations (PR) Senior Official, Punjab Government.
According to the report, all essential government services will continue and shop selling essential items such as food, medicines, etc to be open. The DCs and SSPs have been directed to implement restrictions immediately.
At least 11 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Punjab on Saturday, taking the total number of confirmed cases of the infection to 14 in the state. The districts of Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, and Bathinda, witnessed the maximum number of positive cases.
All establishments in Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur districts have been closed till midnight of March 25. A gathering of more than 20 people have also been banned in the state.
India so far has 341 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory on ways to enforce social distancing and has suggested shutting down all educational institutions, gymnasiums, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres till March 31.
Earlier on Saturday, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has called for a lockdown till March 21 but said that daily necessity shops will remain open.
"In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the state to remain in lockdown from March 22 to 31st. Shops selling daily necessities things like vegetables, dairy, and medical items to remain open," the statement read.
Meanwhile, West Bengal also suspended all inter-state bus transport on Saturday.
Apart from state authorities, the Indian Railways also cancelled as many as 245 trains (excluding passenger trains) and hiked the platform fees from Rs 10 to Rs 50 to prevent the unnecessary gathering of crowds at stations.
(with agency inputs)
