<p>Punjab and Rajasthan governments were on alert on Tuesday as Covid-19 cases increased in parts of the country, urging citizens to follow social distancing and wear face masks in public places.</p>.<p>Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh imposed fresh curbs on both indoor and outdoor gatherings and directed district officials to impose night curfew if required and adopt micro-containment strategies in case of new outbreaks of the disease.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/punjab-orders-fresh-curbs-on-indoor-outdoor-gatherings-as-covid-19-cases-rise-954485.html">Punjab orders fresh curbs on indoor, outdoor gatherings as Covid-19 cases rise</a></strong></p>.<p>At a review meeting, Singh also issued orders to post Covid-19 monitors at marriage halls and restaurants, and nodal teachers in schools to ensure adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.</p>.<p>Singh also ordered restrictions on indoor gatherings to 100 and outdoor to 200 persons from March 1 and ramped up testing to 30,000 samples per day.</p>.<p>In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot urged citizens to follow Covid-19 protocol and get tested on displaying symptoms of infection.</p>.<p>“Covid pandemic is under control in Rajasthan because of your cooperation, but there is still need to exercise utmost caution… A little carelessness can be a reason for trouble,” Gehlot said.</p>.<p>In Punjab, the Chief Minister said a decision on reducing occupancy in cinema halls will be taken after March 1.</p>.<p>Private offices and restaurants will be encouraged to display the last Covid-19 tests done for all employees, he added.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-says-new-coronavirus-variants-not-reason-for-rise-in-cases-in-maharashtra-kerala-954475.html">India says new coronavirus variants not reason for rise in cases in Maharashtra, Kerala</a></strong></p>.<p>Punjab is among five states that have been asked by the Centre to refocus on strict surveillance, containment and RT-PCR testing to check the growing number of cases.</p>.<p>The other four states are Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.</p>.<p>Punjab Chief Secretary Vinni Mahajan ruled out the re-closure of government schools and said the department was taking all steps to ensure the safety of students.</p>.<p>Teachers have been designated the role of nodal officers in schools to instruct students on the proper use of masks and ensure adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.</p>.<p>“These steps have come as a significant number of cases have been reported from the recently reopened schools, especially in Ludhiana, with a positivity rate of 3.1% and Bathinda (2.9%),” an official statement said.</p>
<p>Punjab and Rajasthan governments were on alert on Tuesday as Covid-19 cases increased in parts of the country, urging citizens to follow social distancing and wear face masks in public places.</p>.<p>Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh imposed fresh curbs on both indoor and outdoor gatherings and directed district officials to impose night curfew if required and adopt micro-containment strategies in case of new outbreaks of the disease.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/punjab-orders-fresh-curbs-on-indoor-outdoor-gatherings-as-covid-19-cases-rise-954485.html">Punjab orders fresh curbs on indoor, outdoor gatherings as Covid-19 cases rise</a></strong></p>.<p>At a review meeting, Singh also issued orders to post Covid-19 monitors at marriage halls and restaurants, and nodal teachers in schools to ensure adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.</p>.<p>Singh also ordered restrictions on indoor gatherings to 100 and outdoor to 200 persons from March 1 and ramped up testing to 30,000 samples per day.</p>.<p>In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot urged citizens to follow Covid-19 protocol and get tested on displaying symptoms of infection.</p>.<p>“Covid pandemic is under control in Rajasthan because of your cooperation, but there is still need to exercise utmost caution… A little carelessness can be a reason for trouble,” Gehlot said.</p>.<p>In Punjab, the Chief Minister said a decision on reducing occupancy in cinema halls will be taken after March 1.</p>.<p>Private offices and restaurants will be encouraged to display the last Covid-19 tests done for all employees, he added.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-says-new-coronavirus-variants-not-reason-for-rise-in-cases-in-maharashtra-kerala-954475.html">India says new coronavirus variants not reason for rise in cases in Maharashtra, Kerala</a></strong></p>.<p>Punjab is among five states that have been asked by the Centre to refocus on strict surveillance, containment and RT-PCR testing to check the growing number of cases.</p>.<p>The other four states are Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.</p>.<p>Punjab Chief Secretary Vinni Mahajan ruled out the re-closure of government schools and said the department was taking all steps to ensure the safety of students.</p>.<p>Teachers have been designated the role of nodal officers in schools to instruct students on the proper use of masks and ensure adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.</p>.<p>“These steps have come as a significant number of cases have been reported from the recently reopened schools, especially in Ludhiana, with a positivity rate of 3.1% and Bathinda (2.9%),” an official statement said.</p>
