After the Odisha Government, the Punjab Government also decided to extend the lockdown till the 1st of May.
On the 10th of April, the Punjab Government conducted a Cabinet meeting and announced the extension in the wake of rising cases of the Novel Coronavirus infection.
The Punjab Government issued a press statement, stating, “The decision was taken at a meeting of the council of ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, to check community spread of the coronavirus pandemic and to prevent overcrowding at the Mandis in the light of the ensuing wheat harvesting/procurement season.”
In the past 24 hours, Punjab witnessed a massive increase in numbers and have 151 positive cases from the previous 78 cases of the Coronavirus.
The issued statement regarding the extension of the lockdown read, “Citing the grim projections about the spread of the pandemic in the coming weeks, the Chief Minister said the curfew restrictions were essential so that the medical infrastructure is not burdened beyond its capabilities. There was general consensus in the medical community that the lockdown curbs would only delay the spread of the disease, he said, hoping that some medication/cure would be found soon.”
Speaking about the precautionary measures, the State Government decided to set up a high power committee and multi-disciplinary task force of 15 members.
While the high power committee would review the situation and strategize the revival of the State economy, the multi disciplinary task force including members of trade, business, industry, agriculture, civil society and health care professionals would chalk a strategy to fight the Coronavirus in the State.
The Punjab Chief Minister would inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the extended lockdown during the all party meeting scheduled on the 11th of April.
Stay tuned for further updates.
