DW BUREAU / PATIALA: In pursuance of the guidelines of the Punjab government and taking into account the prevailing COVID-19 situation in Patiala district Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit here today ordered the additional restrictions for strict and meticulous compliance in the district with effect from March 21 till further orders. The order includes that all educational institutions i.e. schools and colleges shall remain closed till March 31 next but the entire teaching and non-teaching staff shall continue to attend on all working days. But he also said that all the medical and nursing colleges, however, shall continue to remain open. Restriction of 50 percent capacity in all the cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, etc. shall be applicable and not more than 100 persons shall be allowed in malls at any time. One-hour silence from 11 am to 12 noon on all Saturdays commencing March 27 in memory of and as a mark of respect to all those who had to lay down their lives due to COVID-19 shall be observed throughout the district. No vehicle shall ply during this time. Night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am on all days with immediate effect shall be strictly in force, prohibiting all the non-essential activities. However, all the essential activities including operation of industry as well as to and fro movement of passengers travelling via air, trains, buses, etc. shall remain exempted from curfew restrictions. No social, cultural or political gatherings and related functions shall be allowed. The number of guests in all the wedding relating ceremonies as well as attendees in cremation/funeral functions shall be limited to 20 persons. Grievance redressal by all the government offices shall be preferred through virtual/on-line modes. Public dealings be discouraged as far as possible and allowed only where deemed unavoidable. Revenue Department shall also endeavour to limit appointments to public for execution of conveyance deeds for sale and purchase of properties. Cinemas, multiplexes, restaurants, malls, etc. shall remain closed on all Sundays. However, home deliveries shall remain permitted during all times except during night curfew hours i.e. from 9 pm to 5 am. All the extant directives of the MHA, Govt. of India and the State government on COVID- appropriate behaviour including social distancing norm of minimum 6 feet (Do Gaz Ki Doori), regulating crowds in markets and public transport, and imposition of penalties prescribed for violation of COVID-appropriate behaviour like wearing of face masks and spitting in public, etc. shall continue to remain applicable. This order shall be applicable with effect from March 21 onwards till further orders. Any violation of these guidelines, directions and /measures shall be punishable under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 besides legal action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860. (editor@dailyworld.in)