Night curfew back in Punjab to control Covid

Though the number of Covid-19 cases has decreased in Punjab in November, night curfew has been re-imposed in the state. There will be fines imposed for not wearing masks or following social distancing. These fines have been doubled after fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections.

The curbs be reviewed on 15 December. These will also limit the opening timings of all hotels, restaurants and marriage palaces till 9.30pm, while the decision on closing liquor vends will be taken at the deputy commissioner level.

“Night curfew will remain in force from 10pm to 5am from December 1,” said Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

An official spokesperson said that the fine for not following Covid-appropriate behaviour shall be hiked from the present ₹500 to ₹1,000.

Given the inflow of patients from Delhi for treatment in Punjab, it has also been decided to review and optimise the beds availability in the state’s private hospitals.

Punjab was able to contain the threat of the virus further in November when it added fewer new cases as compared to previous months. This was the second consecutive month in which the state saw a decrease in fresh cases.

The daily average of cases in November was 614 against 637 in October. In all, the state witnessed 18,433 cases in November against a total of 19,772 in October.

Also, the state’s total deaths due to the virus in November also came down to 604 as compared to 797 in October, the state health department’s media bulletin said.

The state witnessed the pandemic peak in September.

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