90,000 NRIs back in Punjab, Covid-19 cases likely to rise: Amarinder Singh

Chandigarh : Punjab government has announced a curfew in the state after many people were found violating the lockdown sounded a day before to combat coronavirus. To make things trickier, around 90 thousand NRIs have returned to the state after coronavirus outbreak across the world.

CM Amarinder Singh government on Monday asked Center for aid of Rs 150 crore funds to set up major security, sanitation and medical preparation drive.

In a letter to Union health minister Dr Harshvardhan, state health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu wrote: "Punjab has the maximum number of NRIs in the country and only 90,000 of them have landed in the state this month. Many have symptoms of COVID-19 and are further spreading the disease... The number of COVID-19 patients is going to increase alarmingly."

So far 23 people in the state have been tested positive to the virus, one of them has also lost his life.

On Monday, Punjab became the first state to announce curfew after the administration complained of people not following the regulations set for lockdown.

Unlike a lockdown, when people are allowed to go out and get essential commodities, During a curfew, citizens cannot be seen on the streets or public places. If they are, then they can be arrested or fined.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh tweeted: "In the past few days, we have initiated legal action against violators of home quarantine. All measures being taken are for the larger good of everyone. While I am happy that everyone is cooperating, I will not let a few threaten the safety measures being taken".

On Monday, Punjab registered 48 cases of violations in the state.