DM Dayalan, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 144 of CrPC has ordered that the curfew imposed in the District shall remain in force and “operation of any additional activities (not already allowed under previous orders/ exemptions) will not take place without specific exemptions granted by this office."
However, the exemption will be determined on the basis of the objectives of essential nature of the activity, the mitigation of hardship to the public and ensuring continuity of Government business.
Stricter measures have been enforced keeping in view the emergent nature and potential magnitude of the pandemic and for the purpose of ensuring health and safety of human life.
Any violations shall invite criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Indian Penal Code,1860.
Although revised guidelines have been issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (MHA, GoI) which allow certain additional activities to be opened in the country w.e.f. April 20, 2020.
But, it has also been categorically stated that these guidelines shall not apply to Containment Zones created in “Hotspots” i.e. areas of large outbreak of COVID19 or clusters with significant spread of COVID19 as determined by guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), GoI.
As of April 19, 2020, the number of COVID positive cases in the district is 61 which are the highest in the State.
The District shares its border with the U.T. of Chandigarh and the states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. A considerable number of people travel to Mohali and back from these States because of either their workplace or residence being located here.
In such circumstances, where the District has not yet reached a stage of 14 days without a positive case and has the highest number of COVID positive cases in Punjab, the threat of the pandemic spreading can yet not be ruled out.