This time around, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh has been releasing COVID restrictions, updates, and clarifications at such a fast pace that this has left the common man and woman in confusion.
To be fair, the ongoing second wave of the pandemic has been a tough nut to crack, and the state government, like the central government, has a very tough balancing act to perform – containing COVID and not halting economy with lockdown.
Also read: Punjab CM writes to Modi & Shah for 50 MT additional oxygen allocation, 20 tankers
Perusing the latest notice from the Punjab Government, the restrictions are presented in an easy-to-understand question-answer form:
Q1: Till how long is the lockdown?
A: The restrictions are till May 15, 2021 i.e. just ten days more
Q2: I need to go to market, which shops are open?
A: Good question. The government has allowed shops selling essential items to open.
Now, as per the current definition of essential items, the following shops are permitted to open:
· Chemist
· Essential goods like milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy, poultry, eggs, meat, mobile repair
· Laboratories
· Nursing homes
· All other medical establishments
Also read: Punjab government allows liquor and other shops to open till 15th May
Further some shops which are non-essential have been permitted too. These are:
· Shops selling fertilizers, seed, insecticides, pesticides, agriculture machinery, agriculture / horticulture implements, etc.
· Kirana and grocery shops including Public Distribution System (PDS) shops.
· Retail and wholesale liquor vends (but ahatas not to open).
· Shops selling industrial materials, hardware items, tools, motors, pipes, etc.
Q3: What about weekly markets like apnimandis?
A: Closed.
Q4: Are schools open?
A: No, all schools and colleges expect medical and nursing colleges are closed.
Q5: What about my IELTS classes?
A: They are closed because they come under coaching centres. Your coaching centre may provide online classes.
Q6: I want to relax and rejuvenate, what about entertainment and fitness?
A: Venues providing these facilities are closed. Specifically, the following are closed:
· Bars
· Cinema halls
· Gyms
· Spas
· Swimming pools
· Coaching centres
· Sports complexes
Q7: I want to eat out, what options do I have?
A: Dine-in not allowed at restaurants (including hotels), cafes, coffee shops, fast food outlets, dhabas, etc. Also, no sitting inside these establishments.
Take-away food is also not allowed.
Also read: Punjab revises rates for oxygen transportation, to be as per market rate: CS Mahajan
And home delivery too is an option. Home delivery is permitted till 9 pm.
Q8: I am outside Punjab, but I need to enter, what to do?
A: No matter you are coming by road, railways, or air, you need to present one of the following documents:
· Negative COVID report not more than 72 hours late
· OR vaccination certificate (at least one dose) over 2 weeks old
However, if you are travelling within Punjab, you don’t require any documentation.
Q9: I have some work in a bank or government office, are they open?
A: Yes, banks and government offices are open but they are working at 50% staff, so expect delay in getting your work done.
Q10: I want to travel by two-wheeler or four-wheeler, any restrictions here?
A: All four-wheeler passenger vehicles including cars and taxis to seat no more than 2 passengers.
On two-wheelers (scooters, motorcycles) you may not have any pillion rider unless that person is family member and lives in the same house.
Q11: We have a function (wedding, cremation, funeral), any limit on the number of attendees?
A: Yes, no more than 10 people.
Q12: I need to get fruits and vegetables, what about Sabzi Mandis?
A: Sabzi Mandis are open, though only to fruit and vegetable wholesalers. You will have to follow social distancing.
Q13: I need to pray at a religious place of worship (Church, Gurudwara, Manidr, Masjid, etc), what to do?
A: You may do so but the place of the worship will close at 6 pm every day.
Q14: What are the timings of night curfew?
A: From Monday through Friday night curfew is from 6 pm to 5 am. Weekend curfew is from Friday 6 pm to Monday 5 am.
Also read: Punjab CM asks Centre to provide more oxygen tankers
During curfew whether weekend or otherwise, no vehicle is to ply except for medical purposes with curfew pass.
Q15: I want to use public transport (bus, taxi, auto), what to expect?
A: Restricted to 50% capacity.
Q16: We are planning to have a gathering?
A: No, as all social, cultural, sports gatherings and related functions are banned. However, if the Deputy Commissioner permits in advance, then you may proceed.
Q17: I visited a large gathering, what’s for me?
A: Persons who have attended large gatherings anywhere (religious/ political/social) to be mandatorily home quarantined for 5 days and tested as per protocol.
Q18: What about my recruitment exams?
A: Postponed, unless the recruitment is of COVID management related.
Q19: I work in a service industry in a private office (like architect, chartered accountant, insurance company, etc), what’s for me?
A: The physical office will remain closed and you may only ‘Work from Home’.
Q20: What about government offices?
A: In Government ofices – Health/ frontline workers and employees over 45 years who have not got at least one vaccine dose in last 15 days or more, should be encouraged to take leave and stay home until then.
Employees under 45 years to be allowed only on basis of negative RT-PCR not more than 5 days old or else should take leave and stay home.
Q21: Finally, what about COVID-appropriate behaviour?
A: Yes, those continue to be active including the rules for:
· social distancing of minimum 6 feet
· regulating crowds in market places and public transport
· wearing face masks
· no spitting in public places
· etc
You may expect penalties for the violation for the same.
It is a reminder that these rules stand valid at the time of writing, you may check Punjab page on True Scoop News for all latest updates and rules.