GoM reviewed present situation in Punjab

Khanna: In view of the advisory received from the Government of India for checking the spread of COVID19, the Group of Minister today took more stringent steps to prohibit the public gathering. The meeting of the GoM which was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Brahm Mohindra, Local Bodies Minister issued directions to close down all the shopping complexes, Malls, Museums, Local Weekly Kisan Mandis besides issuing advisory for all the Religious Institutions, Dera Heads to postpone their religious congregations till March 31, 2020.
        Close on the lines with the advisory issued by the Government of India, the GoM has also decided to restrict the gathering at the marriage function being organized at the marriage palaces. Directions have been issued to the DCs to ensure that the gathering at any function in marriage palaces must not increase beyond 50 persons.  Likewise DCs will also ensure that all the Restaurants, Hotels, Dhabas and Food Courts in their respective areas are implementing Hand Washing Protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces besides ensuring physical distancing of 1 meter between persons and tables.
       All the Shopping Complexes and Malls, Cinemas would be closed in the state till March 31 but the chemists and grocery shops in Malls have been exempted from the shut down. Similarly all the Local Weekly Kisan Mandis in the state have been closed in a bid to restrict people to gather in large number at one place. The GoM has allowed the rehriwalas to sell the vegetables in the streets for the convenience of the public.
       GoM has also directed the School Education Department and administrative bodies of other private educational institutes to postpone the examinations. In case there is dire need of conducting the examinations, the particular institute and school would inform the district administration and would also ensure that one meter distance is maintained between two students.
       The GoM reviewed the present situation in the state and took stock of the availability of prescribed medicines and deployment of medical and para medical staff at the crucial junctures. The GoM expressed serious view of the fact that COVID-19 has literally brought Europe at a standstill and all the business, education, religious institutions in Europe have been shut down.
       GoM which comprises of Mr. Om Parkash Soni, Mr. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Mrs. Razia Sultana, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu, Mr. Vijay Inder Singla and Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu all the cabinet ministers were present alongwith Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Chief Secretary, Mr. Anurag Aggarwal, Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare, Mr. D.K Tiwari, Principal Secretary Medical Education and Research, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, MD PHSC, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Director Local Bodies Department and Dr. Avneet Kaur Director Health & Family Welfare.