Following a high increase in Covid cases in the state over the previous several days, the Punjab government ordered today that schools and colleges be closed and that a night curfew be imposed to limit public movement.
The new restrictions were issued after Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi presided over a conference to assess the state’s Covid situation.
All educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, will stay closed for offline classes, although virtual lessons will continue, according to a new decree published today. Medical and nursing schools, on the other hand, have been allowed to operate routinely.
Every day from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., a night curfew will be in effect. The new regulation specifies that bars, cinema halls, multiplexes, shops, restaurants, spas, museums, and zoos may operate at 50% capacity if all employees are completely vaccinated. The new limits will be in effect until January 15, 2019.
Only athletes training for national or international tournaments will be granted access to sports complexes, stadiums, swimming pools, and gyms.
Only fully vaccinated employees will be allowed to work in government and private offices, according to the new directive.
The new restrictions come in the midst of a frantic Assembly election campaign highlighted by crowded demonstrations and political meetings.
One of the key reasons is that election rallies attract big audiences, allowing the virus to spread more quickly. However, no limits on political meetings or rallies have been issued yet so far.
