Punjab Bans All Public Gatherings

CHANDIGARH:
Stepping up its fight against Covid-19, the Punjab government on Monday imposed a complete ban on all public gatherings, while restricting social gatherings to five and marriages and other social functions to 30 instead of the current 50.

These were among the revised guidelines issued in line with the announcement made by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. Mandatory first information reports (FIRs) shall be filed against those found violating the curbs on public gatherings, which now stand strictly disallowed.

A detailed notification issued by the government says joint teams of police and civil administration shall strictly enforce the restrictions on social gatherings (restricted to 5 under section 144 imposed in all districts) as well as weddings and social functions. The management of marriage halls and hotels would be held responsible and would face suspension of licence in case of violation of norms.

Further, the management of marriage halls, hotels and other commercial spaces will have to certify that adequate arrangements for ventilation of indoor spaces have been made. The state government has also partnered with IIT-Madras experts to intensify surveillance, using technology in order to identify super-spreader gatherings that in the past that have resulted in spread, to guide future action.

Wearing of masks has been made compulsory in work places, offices and closed places, as per the new guidelines, which also call for strict enforcement of the Health Department advisory on air conditioning and ventilation and air circulation.

Public dealing in offices may be curtailed to cater to need based and urgent issues, according to the guidelines, which provide that the online public grievance redressal system recently approved by the Cabinet should be extensively popularised and used.