A day after the UT administrator’s governor VP Singh Badnore met representatives from various political parties, the Chandigarh government tried Wednesday to accommodate the covid curbs imposed by Mohali and Panchkula by lifting the curfew from 6pm on Thursday extended to 5 a.m. All shops, shopping centers, multiplexes, restaurants and bars now close at 5:00 p.m., but home delivery is possible until 9:00 p.m. However, there will be no weekend curfew.
That decision was made at the war room meeting chaired by Badnore. Adviser Manoj Parida said they hadn’t opted for a weekend lockdown in Mohali as it will only be effective if it is implemented in Panchkula. “We want to get the Haryana government’s response to this problem. If they too are in favor of a weekend curfew, we can work on it.” Mohali follows a weekend closure from Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 5 a.m.
Later, in a notice from District Judge Mandip Brar’s Office, those involved in essential services were allowed to move around during curfew. Hotels, bars, restaurants, etc. are closed until 6:00 p.m., but kitchens can be opened for home delivery until 9:00 p.m. Interstate vehicle movements are permitted.
There will be no barrier to the movement of pregnant women and sick people. Passengers returning from the train station, airport, ISBT-17, ISBT-43 are also allowed to reach their destinations. The production units can also be opened. And workers in these units can commute by showing their I cards.
The number of people participating in a marriage has been limited to 50, while a total of 20 people can attend a funeral.
Sources said opinions differed as to the time of the lockdown, with some officials suggesting increasing the curfew for the night in the morning. Mohali’s administrator imposes night and weekend curfew and revises restrictions
The Mohali administration issued new instructions that the district would be subject to curfew every day from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and every Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. every Monday.
The order issued by DC Girish Dayalan under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) also states that bars, movie theaters, gyms, spas, swimming pools, coaching centers and sports facilities will remain closed. The restaurants are closed for dinner. Home delivery is possible until 9:00 p.m., while all shops (including shopping centers, multiplexes, etc.) are closed at 5:00 p.m. every day.
The orders state that private offices, including the service industry, are only allowed to work from home. The minimum of staff involved in critical processes (e.g. maintenance) are allowed to enter the office with curfews.
There will be a complete ban on social, religious, cultural, political, and sport-related gatherings, with the exception of weddings, cremations, and funerals, which are regulated. The maximum number of people allowed for weddings is 20 and curfews apply. In addition, any gathering of more than 10 people requires permission from the relevant SDM.
A maximum gathering of 20 people is permitted for cremations and funerals. The curfew is not applicable and does not require authorization. However, people who have attended large gatherings must be quarantined for five days and tested after the five days.
Public transport may only take up to 50 percent of its seat capacity. In the meantime, the weekly markets (such as Apni Mandis) will remain closed. These restrictions apply until further orders are placed.
The hospitals and pharmacies will remain open. The shops selling essentials such as fruit, vegetables and groceries will also remain open.