Coronavirus: No curfew relaxation in Punjab; essentials to be delivered at doorstep

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24

Instead of allowing relaxation for limited periods at district level during the current curfew in Punjab, the state government has now come out with curfew management guidelines.

A government functionary said there would be no general relaxations in the curfew. The guidelines would be implemented at the district level by the deputy commissioners.

As per the new orders, during the period of curfew, door-to-door delivery of essential commodities, such as groceries, milk, fruit, and vegetables, may be ensured through pre-identified hawkers/distributors wherever possible.

The grocery shops, milk vendors, fruit and vegetable shops, and chemists should be permitted to open on rotation in a manner that at any point of time at least one shop each is open in a given area.

Such shops should also be allowed to provide door-to-door delivery on call.

The shops permitted to open should be kept under supervision of 1-2 policemen to check over-crowding and maintain spatial distancing.

District Mandi Officers/Market Committee Secretaries should ensure a system of home delivery of vegetables and groceries, respectively, otherwise people would flock in large numbers when curfew is relaxed and a law-and-order situation may arise. Some bigger malls and businesses can also be engaged for door-to-door delivery.

Only in case of an emergency may people be permitted to go on foot for needs such as groceries, milk, fruit and vegetables, and medicines/chemists, or to doctors and nursing homes.

Vehicular movement without a pass will not to be allowed.

In emergency, a resident should be able to call police or civil control rooms to avail necessary essential services.