Breather: Curfew in Chandigarh to go from midnight

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 2

After 41 days, city residents will be able to breathe in the open from Monday. The UT Administration has decided to lift the curfew from the midnight of May 3. However, the lockdown period has been extended by two weeks (up to May 17).

Those entering Chandigarh will not be required to carry movement pass

Following the Covid outbreak, the UT Administration had imposed curfew in the city from the intervening night of March 23 and 24.

The decision to lift the curfew was taken during a meeting chaired by UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore here today.

In another major decision, the containment zone in the city will be restricted to the pockets identified and notified by the UT from where cases have been reported.

The UT will conduct an intensive screening and testing of all cases within the containment pockets.

It has been decided to declare Kachi Colony in Dhanas, part of Bapu Dham Colony, part of Sector 30-B, part of Shastri Nagar in Mani Majra, part of Sector 38 and part of Sector 52 as containment zones from May 4.

On April 18, the entire city was declared a containment zone to speed up screening and testing of suspected cases to prevent further spread of the virus. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had on Thursday retained Chandigarh in the new list of 130 red zones. All Sampark centres will remain open and all government offices will be functional as per the norms fixed by the Centre.

A committee under UT Finance Secretary AK Sinha has been constituted to address the grievances regarding opening of shops.

Badnore stated that the decisions would be reviewed depending upon the developments on the ground. He emphasised that general prohibitions announced by the MHA regarding social distancing etc would continue.

Shops to open, vehicles to ply from 7 am to 7 pm on odd-even basis

To give much-needed relaxation to the residents, the UT Administration has decided to open sector markets from 7 am to 7 pm. However, odd-even formula will be applicable on opening of shops and social distancing will have to be maintained. For example, on Monday (May 4), only shops having numbers ending with even digits such as 2, 4, 6 etc will open

Similarly, private vehicles will be allowed to ply between 7 am and 7 pm without passes and as per the protocol. However, odd-even formula will apply on the plying of vehicles. For example, on Monday (May 4), vehicles having registration numbers ending with even digits will be allowed to ply. Apart from the driver, only two persons will be allowed to travel in a car.

Lockdown restrictions

People have to wear mask while moving out and observe social distancing. Pvt offices can function with 33 per cent staff; social distancing to be maintained.

New containment zones

• Kachi Colony in Dhanas
• Part of Bapu Dham Colony
• Part of Sector 30-B
• Part of Shastri Nagar in Mani Majra
• Part of Sector 38
• Part of Sector 52

WHAT’S OPEN

• Shops selling essentials like groceries, vegetables, medicines etc. on all days
• Liquor vends in sector markets
• Sampark centres and govt offices as per the norms fixed by the Centre
• Distribution of fruits and vegetables by government buses to continue

WHAT’S shut

• Restaurant/eating joints
• Apni mandis
• Big shopping malls and complexes such as the Sector 17 market
• Shops on roads separating sectors
• Delivery of cooked food by online agencies

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