Affecting the lifestyle of people in Punjab:
· Extension in nigh curfew, the new timings are 8 pm to 5 am
· All bars, cinema halls, gyms, spas, coaching centers (including IELTS), sports complexes are closed
· Dine-in in restaurants and hotels are closed with only takeaway and home delivery allowed from Monday to Saturday
· Further, on Sunday restaurants, malls, shops, weekly markets completely closed and this order is effective till April 30
Regarding gathering of people, the new measures are:
· Ban on gathering of more than 20 people, including for wedding or funeral
· However, district administration approval beforehand may be arranged for gathering of more than 10 people, except for funeral
· Further, people who have attended large gatherings anywhere ( religious/ political/social) to be mandatorily home quarantined for 5 days and tested as per protocol.
As far as the Tri-City of Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali is concerned:
· Mohali, along with the rest of the tri-city, will remain under complete lockdown on Wednesday, on the occasion of Ram Navami, to avoid gatherings amid the surging Covid cases in the region.
Also read: Punjab CM raises alarm over vaccine, oxygen shortage
Regarding travel:
· Number of people in buses/taxis and autos be restricted to 50% of the capacity.
· Incoming passengers should have a negative RT-PCR not more than 72 hours old, else they would have to undergo RAT testing at the airport
Examinations too see some changes, as follows:
· Recruitment exams for Patwaris postponed
· Medical Education department to hold online examination for 1st, 2nd & 3rd year MBBS / BDS /BAMS and 1st year Nursing students.
And finally, new rules regarding testing, health, and wellness:
· Reduction in rates for testing in private labs - RT-PCR at Rs 450 and Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) at Rs 300 from private labs (with additional charges for home collection of the samples)
· Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) testing booths to be set up at bus stands and railway stations and all passengers checked
· Private hospitals already directed to reserve 75% beds for Covid patients
· No elective surgeries should be conducted in any government or private hospitals till May 15