Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal today informed that in view of Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19), the Punjab government has decided to extend lockdown/curfew till April 30, 2020. He warned that it would be strictly enforced in the district from now on.He also clarified that some people have a misconception that there is relaxation in lockdown/curfew from 6 am to 9 am daily, which is totally wrong and any person spreading such rumours would be strictly dealt with. He said that the lockdown/curfew in the district is for 24 hours and there is no relaxation of timing given by the District Administration. He warned that any person roaming on the streets or coming out of their houses, except medical emergency cases, an FIR would be registered against them, they would be arrested and sent to the open jails. He again reiterated that people should take the lockdown/curfew seriously as it has been imposed in public interest.While speaking to media persons in his office, here today, the Deputy Commissioner stated that both Amarpura area of Ludhiana city and Chowkimann village of the district have been declared as hotspots by the District Administration. He said that as three positive cases of COVID 19 have come from Amarpura and two from Chowkimann, so as a precautionary measure, extensive sampling of the residents at these places would be carried out from now on.
While urging the residents to stay indoors, Mr Agrawal said that everyone knows that there is no proper vaccine of COVID 19 till now and every patient recovers on the basis of his/her self immunity along with medical treatment. He said that it becomes the responsibility of all residents to stay indoors as it would be safe for their own family as well as people around them. He said that people should utilise the lockdown/curfew period by teaching their children as the schools/colleges are closed and also for family bonding.He informed that even the Punjab government has issued an advisory that all people would have to wear masks at all times if they are going out of their home for some emergency.Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal further said that some people, who have been issued passes related to delivery of essential commodities etc, they would be allowed on the streets only from 10 am to 6 pm.He informed that a total of 574 samples have been collected from the district till date and reports of 467 have been received, while reports of 108 samples are awaited. He said that the reports of 443 samples were negative, 11 samples were rejected, while 12 samples were tested positive. He informed that samples of two residents of Ludhiana were taken at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and their report is also negative.The Deputy Commissioner urged the residents to assist the District Administration during lockdown/curfew period as this decision has been taken by the Punjab government in public interest.Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner also chaired a review meeting regarding COVID 19 with all senior District Administration officials in his office, here.