More on Covid-19

CHANDIGARH: To tackle the COVID-19 crisis, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Monday ordered sealing of the state’s borders, while announcing extension of the curfew till April 14.All restrictions would be enforced till April 14, after which the state will decide in line with the Government of India’s decision, said Amarinder, adding that the lockdown was the only way to prevent the spread of the disease.He also promised special insurance for Punjab Police personnel and sanitation workers engaged in the Covid battle, on the lines of the scheme announced by the Centre for frontline health workers, if the Centre does not concede the state’s demand for these covers.Amarinder also asked the finance minister to come out with a contingency financial plan, to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, and ensure an uninterrupted medical & essentials supply pipeline in the current battle, which he said would be a long-drawn one and would need more support from the Government of India.In another decision, the local bodies department has been asked to extend, by three months, the services of the 2000-odd sanitation workers, due to retire on March 31, in order to deal with the prevailing situation.During a video conference to discuss and review the current situation in the light of the COVID-19 crisis and the curfew restrictions in the state, Amarinder directed all the concerned departments to intensify their efforts to check the spread of the disease, and ensure that all essential supplies and services are maintained. He also ordered strict enforcement of the curfew, especially in rural areas, amid reports that gatherings continued to take place in villages.All restrictions should be strictly enforced till April 14, after which the state will decide in line with the Government of India’s further decision, said Amarinder, adding that the lockdown was the only way to prevent the spread of the disease.Manpower for 20,000 beds had been identified through EOI on the Health Department portal from among the public. Training of manpower shall start from 1st April 2020, and the staff would be trained in batches. A new helpline has been started to tele-connect citizens with doctors under the IMA Punjab, and citizens can call 18001804104 or use the feature on the COVA mobile application.