The state of Punjab is in a lockdown like never seen before, for the first time in years. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced curfew as people were defying previously imposed lockdown. As per an official source, people were still going out in large numbers.
Deputy police commissioners have been asked to issue necessary orders to impose curfew with relaxation being granted for a short period for valid requests.
The situation in the state became dire with around 90,000 NRIS returning home due to the COVID-19 outbreak all around the world. The state now needs funds to prevent the spread of the virus and is seeking Rs 150 crore from the Centre for major security, sanitation and medical preparation drive.
So far, 23 people in the state have been tested positive for the coronavirus and there has been one death. As of March 23, the latest case tested positive for the virus is a 2-year-old. State Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu wrote to the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan that the number of COVD-19 cases will rise alarmingly with the 90,000 NRIs arriving this month and a lot of them having symptoms of the disease.
As per sources, reports of a 70-year-old succumbing to COVID-19 surfacing further pushed authorities to take stricter measures. The 70-year-old took part in the religious gathering, that takes place every year at Anandpur Sahib, at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. He had recently returned from a two-week trip from Germany via Italy.
He died of the virus on March 18, and after attending the festivities while at Anandpur Sahib, he returned to his home town of Pathlawa.
The curfew implies that people will not be allowed to move about even to get essentials, no one will be allowed on the streets and action will be taken against those found violating it. Important exemptions will be announced later.
Kolkata saw the latest virus-related death in the country. The victim was a 57-year-old with no history of foreign travel.
