Considering the emerging threat of COVID-19 across the Punjab, the Health Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that social distancing is key factor to slowdown the spread of COVID-19. He also instructed the Civil Surgeons to speed up the challaning of violators to ensure stringent compliance of guidelines in public places, markets and vegetable markets of urban areas. The Minister said that today, Punjab has witnessed the higher number of 217 cases of corona virus after Nanded returnees with 9 deaths and he directed the Civil Surgeons to immediately latest report details of Containment & Micro-containment zones to head quarter for swiftly planning of action plan. After getting significant inputs from the district, State level authorities could assess the ground reality of areas to take further concrete decision and to stop the affect the virus in specific areas by mapping and monitoring the prompt activities of RRTs. Noticing the social activities/economics are regaining its momentum, Mr. Sidhu also appealed the people to maintain the social distancing and avoid visiting friends, relatives and social functions. He said that if people want to save their children and elders, it’s necessary to avoid travel/socializing/dining together.The Minister said that in case, it’s urgent to visit outside for any important task then everyone should wear mask and maintain hand hygiene and all are advised not to indulge in any handshakes or hug to greet/see-off each other during social gatherings. The Government of Punjab, as per the directions/guidelines issued by the Government of India has, over a period of time, has implement these restrictions. The Department of Home Affairs & Justice, Punjab has issued detailed guidelines on Lockdown 5.0/unlock under which several activities in the Non- Containment Zones of all the districts have been allowed. Intra State travel has been allowed, people have been allowed to move from 5:00AM to 9:00 PM. In such exemptions, its duty of citizens towards the Nation to strictly follow the guidelines issued to curtail the spread of COVID-19.