Punjab extends lockdown till June 10

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced that the COVID restrictions in the state have been extended till June 10 on the recommendations of experts.

Given the improvement in the overall Covid situation, several relaxations were announced. While the limit on the number of passengers in personal vehicles has been removed, those on commercial vehicles and taxis shall continue. The CM also directed the resumption of elective surgeries, stopped from April 12 to ensure adequate availability of beds and oxygen for Covid cases in both government and private hospitals and restoration of OPD operations at all government hospitals. Medical Education Minister OP Soni clarified that three government colleges have already started 50 per cent OPD services, and it would soon be scaled up to 100 per cent. Deputy Commissioners continue to be eligible to make adjustments in opening non-essential shops depending on local conditions.

The CM further warned against profiteering amidst the crisis by certain private hospitals and ordered scaling up testing and sampling in rural areas to ensure early detection and treatment of infected individuals. He also directed Health and Medical Education Department to continue strengthening infrastructure and facilities to tackle a possible third wave.