Coronavirus: Chandigarh administration orders lockdown till Mar 31

The Chandigarh on Sunday put the Union Territory and joint capital of Punjab and Haryana under lockdown till March 31, suspending all non-essential services as well inter- & intra-city public transports from midnight to curb the coronavirus spread.

The restrictions under the lockdown will come into effect from midnight tonight, an order issued by Chandigarh Administration under the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, said.

The lockdown in Chandigarh was ordered amid the Punjab government ordering it in the entire state and the Haryana government replicating the preventive and precautionary measure in seven districts of the state.

The UT administration had earlier issued COVID-19 regulations for the prevention and containment of the spread of infection.

"The Chandigarh Administration now notifies a lockdown in the territorial jurisdiction of entire UT Chandigarh in public interest with effect from midnight of March 23 until March 31," the order said.

All shops, commercial establishments, offices and factories, workshops, godowns etc. shall close their operations, it said.

Earlier an official statement had said that till 31st March, all non-essential establishments including offices, schools, colleges, factories and other business establishments shall remain closed. All public transport shall also remain suspended.

The latest order said "no public transport services including operation of taxis/auto rickshaws etc shall be permitted except transport of all kinds to and from hospitals, airports, railway stations, bus stands."