Punjab CM appeals to religious institutions to keep gatherings under 50

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday appealed to religious organisations and dera heads to not allow gathering of 50 or more people to check the coronavirus spread.

After a series of review meetings with the Health and other departments concerned, the chief minister said while Punjab, with one confirmed case, was so far safe, it could not afford to be complacent in the face of the globally spreading coronavirus pandemic.

He said strict monitoring was being conducted of all those arriving from high-risk countries and so far 116 people have been tested, he said in a statement here.

He said the state government has geared up to launch a door-to-door awareness campaign from Thursday onwards.

The chief minister said his government was also ready to look into providing mid-day meals to students at homes or, alternatively, putting money into their accounts, though no such request had been received so far.