Image Source: TIMES NOW

Punjab night curfew timings increased by 2 hours in 9 districts; CM warns of tougher measures

18-03-2021

The Government of Punjab on Thursday increased the timing of the night curfew imposed in nine districts of the state. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh announced that the night curfew will now be in place from 9 pm to 5 am, instead of 11 pm to 5 am announced earlier. The districts where night curfew timings have been increased in Punjab include Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mohali, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Ropar. “All these districts have been reporting more than 100 cases daily,” said the Punjab CM. The announcement came amid the continuing surge of coronavirus cases in Punjab. The state reported 2,039 new COVID-19 cases and 35 deaths on Wednesday. The state health department said active cases in the state have risen to 13,320 from 12,616 on Tuesday. The recoveries have surged to 1.84 lakh. The overall COVID-19 tally in Punjab now stands at 2.03 lakh, while the toll is 6,172. CM Amarinder Singh today warned that more tough measures and restrictions could be announced over the next few days if a slide in coronavirus cases was not witnessed in the state. Amarinder told a press conference, called to mark the completion of four years of his government, that the coronavirus situation in the state was critical and worrisome. The CM categorically stated that he will act tough while dealing with the matter. “I won’t be easy on the people,” the CM told reporters, adding that it is his duty to take tough measures whether people like it or not. The CM further expressed hope that all Punjabis will cooperate and adhere to the restrictions. “For God’s sake, save the lives of Punjabis,” he said. The Congress leader informed that stringent measures, including restrictions on gatherings, could be announced following discussions with the state government’s expert COVID-19 team over the next couple of days. The CM urged citizens to visit doctors even if they feel slightly unwell, describing the situation in the state as dangerous. The problem is people are going to hospitals too late, he said. To a question on Himachal Pradesh CM’s statement seeking curbs on people coming in from Punjab for pilgrimage and religious purposes, Captain Amarinder said he was not in favour of restricting religious movement. “I've read media reports about Himachal CM wanting me to restrict the movement of people from Punjab to Himachal for religious purposes. I'm not in favour of restricting such movements. I haven't received a formal communication from him on this yet,” he said.