FACT CHECK: Punjab has not extended lockdown till April 30

A request for government workers to work from home till April 30 was misconstrued

36-Captain-Amarinder-Singh Captain Amarinder Singh | Arvind Jain

Amid the Prime Minister’s statement that the nationwide lockdown would not be lifted in one go, media reports circulated that the state of Punjab had extended its curfew until April 30. These reports have since proved to be false, as government officials clarified that no decision has been taken yet.

Raveen Thukral, media advisor to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, has denied reports that the lockdown would be extended up to April 30. “No decision on extension of curfew/lockdown in Punjab beyond April 14 so far,” he tweeted.

Sharing the order, Special Chief Secretary K.B.S. Sidhu tweeted saying, “CLARIFICATION— Point No. 8. Question: Has the Punjab Government extended curfew till April 30? Ans: NO. Only the arrangement which was prevailing in the existing curfew in so far as attendance in Punjab Government offices concerned—the same has been extended till 30/4. RETWEET.”

He then added that the order itself had since been revoked on account of the confusion.

Earlier, an order letter was circulated that suggested that a blanket curfew would be extended until April 30. This has since been withdrawn.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh tweeted saying a decision would be taken on a possible extension of the lockdown in a cabinet meeting on April 10.

“Interacted over video conferencing with experts of Punjab’s industry regarding measures to be taken to assist industry during the #Covid19 crisis. We will be discussing it in the Cabinet meeting on April 10th & then take a considered decision about extension of lockdown & curfew,” Amarinder Singh tweeted.

He added that a task force would be set up to find ways for the state to gradually get out of the unprecedented lockdown.

“Addressing Video Conference of the state’s leading industrialists, the Chief Minister assured the industry of all support by the government to address critical issues and challenges in this difficult time,” the CMO tweeted.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Punjab was 91 according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, with 7 deaths.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand cabinet minister Madan Kaushik said that there was a consensus on the state cabinet to extend the lockdown in Uttarakhand, and that a proposal has been sent to the central government regarding it.