Punjab: Stricter Lockdown On Weekends, E-Pass From Cova App Required To Travel | Know More

The Punjab government has announced stricter lockdown during weekends due to rising coronavirus cases. Those who want to travel will need to produce an e-pass.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered that movement on the weekends will be limited to e-pass holders (Photo Illustration by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

New Delhi: As cases of coronavirus increase in Punjab the state government is looking at stricter lockdown during the weekends. According to reports during a virtual review meeting regarding the situation in Punjab the Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered that movement on the weekends will be limited to e-pass holders. However, this rule will not be applicable to medical staff and those providing essential services. All industries will also be allowed to function every day. The action is coming after the state saw a surge in cases and the total has reached 2887. The Chief Minister said in the meeting that the doubling rate in the state had reduced to 15 days on June 10 from 22 days on May 31. For those wanting to travel during the weekend, the passes must be downloaded from the Cova App which has been developed by the Punjab Government to provide coronavirus related information and government advisories.

To prevent community spread of #Covid19 in Punjab, in today's review meeting we have decided to 1 - Have restricted movement over weekend & holidays. Industries will be exempted. 2 - Stronger vigilance on people coming from other states with strict home quarantine for all. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Qv9TA5VanL

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 11, 2020

The government is also looking at stricter checks on those coming from other states especially from Delhi which has very high cases of coronavirus. According to a report by IANS, the minister said that those who came from outside had behaved irresponsibly and had not reported to the health authorities.

• The minister said that since it takes 2-3 days for the virus to manifest, travellers will undergo testing after a week of reaching the state and till then will have to quarantine themselves.
• Medical experts have been asked to impose stricter conditions such as mandatory certification especially for those coming from Delhi
• Ensuring strict adherence to home quarantine’s Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta who was part of the meeting informed that 550 flying squads of the police were enforcing the quarantine

Other measures include vigilance on public gatherings beyond the permissible limit and mandatory use of face mask and social distancing. Those not wearing a face mask or spitting in public will attract Rs 500 penalty. For violating home quarantine the fine is Rs 2000.