Hon’ble Governor UT reviewed the covid situation in the city.

Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh reviewed the covid situation in the city in a Special War Room held.

The meeting was attended by Sh. Manoj Parida, Adviser to the Administrator, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary Home & Sh. Sanjay Beniwal, Director General of Police at Punjab Raj Bhawan. Sh. K.K. Yadav, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Yashpal Garg, CEO, Chandigarh Housing Board, Director Principal, GMCH & Director Health Services, GMSH-16 attended through Video Conferencing.

The Administrator directed that beds’ capacity in medical institutions should be enhanced to accommodate the increasing number of covid patients.

Dr. Jasbinder Kaur, Director Principal, GMCH stated that they have set up 100 beds in Sector 48 Hospital and 21 more oxygen beds are being added. She also mentioned that in GMCH, 155 beds were available, which have now been increased to 200 oxygen beds.

Dr. Amandeep Kang, Director Health Services stated that they had 200 beds and with the addition of 48 more beds, the total capacity will increase to 248.

The Hon’ble Administrator expressed satisfaction regarding the efforts made and directed that more ventilators, oxygen concentrators etc. should be arranged for future need.

Hon’ble Administrator directed that a Special Task Force be constituted under Principal Secretary Health to ensure proper auditing of the fatalities taking place in Sector 16, 32 and 48 hospitals. This will help the Administration to improve and take corrective measures in indoor medical treatment.

Hon’ble Administrator expressed satisfaction about the response received regarding Mini Covid Care Centres. A 50-bedded Covid Care Centre is coming up in Bal Bhawan, Sector 23 and a similar Centre is also being set up in Indira Holiday Home, Sector 24.

The Administrator thanked the Army Authorities for setting up a 100 bedded hospital in International Students’ Hostel in Panjab University, which will become functional by 05/05/2021.

There was detailed discussion in the War Room regarding restrictive steps taken by the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana including lockdown measures to prevent the spread of infection.

Keeping in view the fact that Chandigarh being the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, total sealing of borders will not be possible. It was also felt that a total lockdown for long period will adversely affect the economy and may also lead to migration of labourers from the city, thereby causing massive disruption. Hence, a considered decision was taken to have limited restrictive measures as follows:-

(i) Night curfew will continue from 06:00 PM to 05:00 AM every day.

(ii) There will be day time restrictions w.e.f. 05:00 PM on 04/05/2021 (Tuesday), till 05:00 AM on 11/05/2021 (Tuesday). During these 07 days period, the following restrictions will be imposed:-

(a) All shops selling non-essential items will remain closed.

(b) All government offices and banks will work with 50% capacity. As far as possible, all private offices will ensure that their staff work from home.

(c) Public Transport will run with 50% capacity.

(d) The ban on Cinema Halls, Gyms, Spa, Bar, Swimming Pool, Coaching Centres will continue.

(e) Sports Complexes will remain closed. Special permission can be given by Secretary (Sports) to athletes preparing for the Olympics etc.

(f) Restaurants including hotels, Café, Coffee Shops, Eating Places will be allowed to function only for take away. No seating arrangements will be allowed inside their premises. Home delivery can be done upto 09:00 PM.

(g) There shall be a complete ban on all social, cultural, sports and political gatherings.

(h) Recruitment exams will be postponed excepting those like UPSC etc., especially permitted by Chandigarh Administration.

(i) While there will be no restriction on inter-state movement, yet those entering Chandigarh without negative covid reports or vaccine certificates will be subject to random testing.

(j) All Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Health-related facilities like testing laboratories etc. will function normally.

(k) Visitors entering government offices may be required to produce vaccination certificates or negative covid reports.

(l) The gathering for the occasions like marriages will be restricted to 50 and for cremation/funeral, it will be 20 persons.

(m) Crowded places like Sukhna Lake, Museums, Libraries, Rock Garden etc. will remain closed.

(n) School, Colleges, Coaching Centres will remain closed. However, teaching staff will be required to come as per detailed instructions to be issued by Education Department.

(o) While the movement of vehicles has been allowed during day time, the residents are requested to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel.

(p) The shops selling essential items like milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, eggs, meat, the mobile repair will remain open.

(q) It is clarified that the total weekend curfew on Saturday and Sunday will continue.

6. Hon’ble Administrator appealed to the residents to strictly follow the covid protocol like wearing of masks and maintain social distance so that the infection could be contained.

7. Keeping in view the nature of work being done by the media men, the Hon’ble Administrator decided that all accredited journalists will be included in the official list of frontline workers in UT, Chandigarh