Punjab, Rajasthan on alert as Covid-19 cases soar

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.

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.

Also Read | Punjab orders fresh curbs on indoor, outdoor gatherings as Covid-19 cases rise

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.

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.

In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot urged citizens to follow Covid-19 protocol and get tested on displaying symptoms of infection.

“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.

In Punjab, the Chief Minister said a decision on reducing occupancy in cinema halls will be taken after March 1.

Private offices and restaurants will be encouraged to display the last Covid-19 tests done for all employees, he added.

Also Read | India says new coronavirus variants not reason for rise in cases in Maharashtra, Kerala

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.

The other four states are Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

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.

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.

“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.