Punjab extends evening curfew by two hours on weekdays

Chandigarh, April 26 (IANS) The Punjab government Monday announced stricter restrictions on weekdays by advancing the evening curfew by two hours and a strict weekend lockdown to contain the pandemic.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh informed in a tweet that the government is enforcing lockdown from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and a weekend lockdown that would begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and last till 5 a.m. on Monday.

These decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting, chaired by him.

"Due to continuous & rapid rise of #Covid19 cases in Punjab, Cabinet today has decided to impose daily lockdown from 6 PM to 5 AM and weekend lockdown from Friday 6 PM to Monday 5 AM. Urge you all to stay at home & step out only if absolutely necessary. Seek your full cooperation," he tweeted.

At present, the daily curfew was from from 8 p.m. till 5 a.m.

"All shops will remain open till 5 p.m. from Monday till Friday," state Congress chief Sunil Jakhar told the media after the cabinet meeting.