COVID-19: Punjab governmet extends night curfew till January 1 next year

Punjab Chief Minister  Captain Amarinder Singh has extended the state-wide night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am till 1 January next year. Amid complaints of mass violation of Covid norms, Amarinder Singh asked DGP Dinkar Gupta to strictly enforce the restrictions. Now, a maximum of 100 people will be allowed at indoor gatherings and 250 outdoors -- at wedding halls and other places. Penalties will be imposed on the hosts in case of deviance, the order said. Chairing a high-level Covid review meeting, Amarinder Singh also ordered an end to home quarantine for those above the age of 70 with co-morbidities, unless adequate medical facilities can be made available at home. Health Secretary Hussan Lal pointed out during the virtual meeting that a large number of Covid deaths were also being reported among those who are in home isolation.

To further check the fatality rate, Amarinder Singh ordered a thorough check of all private hospitals to ensure that only those with adequate Level 3 infrastructure and manpower be allowed to admit Covid patients. "Hospitals lacking such facilities should refer patients to other hospitals," he said. "Although the declining positivity trend in Punjab over the past 3 weeks was welcomed during the meeting, the fatality rate remained a matter of concern," said Amarinder Singh, while directing the DGP to ensure strict compliance to Covid safety protocols, including wearing of masks and social distancing. Amarinder Singh also asked the state health department to maintain the 30000 per day RTPCR sampling/testing limit, with more smart and targeted sampling to include potential super spreaders. He also stressed on the need to step up testing in containment and micro-containment zones and ensure 100 per cent sampling. Dr KK Talwar, Health Advisor to the Government of Punjab, apprised the meeting of the steps being taken to further reduce mortality. Pointing out that CFR was still a matter of concern even as it had come down to 3.2 per cent in November, he said that patients on monitors were being constantly watched, while detailed mortality analysis was being done hospital-wise every week.