Hina Rohtaki

Meanwhile, Governor of Punjab-cum-Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, V P Singh Badnore reviewed the anti-corona arrangements with Director, PGIMER, Director Health Services and Director Principal, GMCH regarding availability of medicines and staff.

UT Administrator V P Singh Badnore along with Adviser Manoj Parida presided over a meeting with senior officials of the Tricity and reviewed the pandemic situation.

“What hurts is the stupid people’s attempt to sink the ship by societal mass infection. The violators of lock down are social criminals," said UT Adviser.

Adviser Manoj Parida has been at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus and remains constantly in touch with the city, to allay their fears about the contagion and the curfew.

Earlier, the relaxation was given from 10 am to 6 pm. This was decided in a review meeting convened by UT Administrator V P Singh Badnore.

A campaign called 'No to Chandigarh admin relaxation' started on social media in response to the decision of the admin to allow opening of essential shops from 10 am to 6 pm.

After the imposition of curfew, Administration had put in massive efforts to ensure that the backend supply chain and forward linkages of essential items including milk, vegetables, LPG gas etc. is maintained

It was stated that the residents can visit shops to purchase essential commodities in their respective sector markets. It was again reiterated that to avoid congestion in markets, vehicles will not be permitted.

For elderly, it is the toughest time as neither they are able to get essentials, including any vegetables or grocery at the doorstep nor do they have any helper to cook food.

In the morning, each CTU bus with driver, conductor, vegetable vendor and policemen arrived in various localities. In Sector 44-B, residents gathered to take vegetables defeating the basic purpose of social distancing.

Chandigarh lockdown: Residents claimed that the phone numbers for home delivery on the list circulated on social media were either switched off or were constantly busy. In some sectors, milk was being made available through tempos.

Many VIPs have been bombarding the UT officers for curfew exemption for reasons like allowing a pass to vendor making fresh fruit juice, taking dogs out for a stroll, allowing their barber to come to their residence or passes for saloon women to come home and evening walks at the Sukhna Lake.

People were being pacified by administration time to time as messages were being sent out that they were still in the process of chalking out a way in making essential items available. 

Adviser Manoj Parida has stated only individuals engaged in essential services, including police and medical, will be allowed curfew passes.

Haryana Chief Minister’ Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar has also been home quarantined at his residence in Sector 16. A poster has been pasted there as well.

An order stated the “Chandigarh Administration notifies a lockdown in the territorial jurisdiction of the entire UT of Chandigarh in public interest with effect from 12 midnight on March 23 upto March 31, 2020”.

Principal Secretary to Haryana CM too home quarantined

Chandigarh adviser Manoj Parida speaks to Chandigarh Newsline on many issues related to COVID-19.

Coronavirus in Chandigarh: A stamp will be put on the right hand (back of the palm) of the people quarantined along with the relevant period of their isolation.