chandigarhUpdated: Aug 20, 2020 18:22 ISTChandigarh: As Covid-19 cases continue to see a sharp spike in Punjab, chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered a series of emergency measures, including extension of weekend lockdown with daily night curfew from 7pm to 5am in all 167 cities and towns of the state. Calling for war-like preparedness to deal with the pandemic, the chief minister has ordered a total ban on all gatherings except weddings and funerals across the state till August 31. NO POLITICAL GATHERINGS TILL AUGUST 31Amarinder directed director general of police Dinkar Gupta to strictly enforce compliance of rules with regard to the number of persons allowed to attend weddings and funerals, and also to ensure a total ban on political gatherings till August 31, when the situation will be reviewed. The health department has been asked to supply ventilators free of cost to medical colleges and private hospitals. The percentage of co-morbid patients was higher in Punjab as compared to Haryana, explaining the greater number of deaths here, he added.

Source: Hindustan Times August 20, 2020 12:52 UTC