No containment zone in Chandigarh now

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 22

With the UT Administration removing the containment zone tag from pocket number 15 at Bapu Dham Colony, there is now no containment zone in the city.

Houses in this pocket remained under containment restrictions for nearly two months.

The Administration has also removed the perimeter control from all buffer zone pockets. There were restrictions in some blocks in the buffer zone.

“Although these pockets have been removed from the perimeter control, regular surveillance and sanitisation of the areas will continue,” said an official during a war room meeting today.

Mandip Singh Brar, Deputy Commissioner, said for every affected area, they would have a joint action committee comprising municipal, health and police officials under “incident commanders”, who would liaise with local voluntary organisations and residents welfare associations (RWAs) to keep a watch in the areas and to ensure observance of social distancing and the necessary hygiene practices.

UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore said in case there was a fresh outbreak in any of the areas that had recently been opened up, restrictions would be imposed again. He advised residents to wear masks and strictly follow social distancing and hand hygiene norms. They should also keep a watch and inform the Administration about any suspected case from outside the city.

Chandigarh Admn gets tough with violators

Keeping in view reports of frequent violation of norms related to social distancing and wearing of masks, it was decided that a special drive would be undertaken to impose on-the-spot fine on such violators. The UT has already fixed a fine of Rs500 for spitting at public places and for violating social distancing norms by owners of shops/commercial establishments, Rs2,000 for violating home quarantine norms and Rs500 for violating social distancing norms by owners of auto-rickshaws/two-wheelers, Rs2,000 in the case of cars and Rs3,000 in the case of buses.

The Administrator also directed the DGP to ensure that there was regular checking of persons coming from outside the tricity to Chandigarh. Only those who register themselves for the visit on the website of the Administration will be allowed to enter Chandigarh. The Police Control Room will also randomly check their locations to ensure that they observe proper home quarantine.