The recent surge in COVID-19 positive cases in Punjab has made the state government to take even sterner measures to cutb any violation of norms defined.
In line with announcement by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, the press release has been issued with following decisions:
• Bars all public gatherings, with mandatory FIR for violation.
• Restricts social gatherings to 5 and marriages/other social functions to 30 in place of 50.
• Masks made compulsory in workplace, office & closed spaces.
The detailed revised guidelines released by the state government mentions:
Ban on Public gatherings:
Joint teams of police and the civil administration shall strictly enforce the restrictions on social gatherings (now restricted to five under Section 144 imposed in all districts) as well as weddings and social functions.
The management of marriage palaces/hotels shall be held responsible and shall face suspension of licence in case of violation of norms. Also, they will be required to certify that adequate arrangements for ventilation of indoor spaces have been made.
Surveillance for Identifying super spreader gatherings:
The state government has also partnered with IIT Chennai experts to intensify surveillance, using technology. This is done to identify super-spreaders gatherings as they had been the major culprit in spreading the coronavirus.
Masks wearing:
Wearing of masks has been made compulsory in workplaces/offices/closed places, as per the new guidelines. The new guidelines also directs strict enforcement of the Health Department advisory on the air conditioning and ventilation/air circulation.
Social Distancing in government & private offices:
Public dealing in offices may be curtailed to cater to need-based and urgent issues, according to the guidelines. The online Public Grievance Redressal System recently approved by the Cabinet need to be encouraged to be used extensively.
The revised management and containment strategy for COVID-19 also bars any physical presentation of demand charters by associations. Also serving of tea has to be avoided as are physical meetings of more than five persons at the workplace.
About asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic Patients:
To ensure optimum utilisation of health infrastructure, asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic persons with no comorbidities/vulnerabilities will have to be in COVID Care Centres/home isolation where applicable.
Beds in level 2 and 3 facilities will not be used to cater to such patients. Further, a person in a level 2 or 3 facility, who no longer needs this facility, must be referred by way of reverse referral to a lower level treatment facility.
The state government has also clarified that the MoU with private healthcare facilities does not mean blocking of beds for patients referred by the government at a later stage, it only provides the charges payable by the government to its referred patients.
All Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Police and SSPs have been mandated to ensure that all hospitals that can undertake care of COVID-19 positive patients have supplied information on their availability of beds and are not denying treatment to positive COVID-19 patients.
Peculiar situation due to Monsoon:
Taling cognisance of the risk of water-borne diseases during the monsoon, sanitation drive is to be undertaken by both urban local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions on campaign basis for the prevention of dengue/vector-borne diseases.
Source: The Tribune
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