Wheat harvesting: Punjab govt to allow transportation of agri equipment, machinery

In order to provide relief to the farmers for harvesting of wheat crop, the Punjab government has decided to allow transportation of agriculture equipment and machinery across the province.
Similarly, the transportation of cement and soda ash has also been allowed for construction sector, sources in the civil secretariat disclosed on Wednesday.
Punjab Chief Secretary Punjab Azam Suleman Khan has ordered to exempt these items from the restrictions imposed under section 144 to contain spread of coronavirus in the province.
According to the sources, "In view of wheat harvest season, the movement of equipment and machinery related to agriculture sector has been permitted but the labour to be engaged for harvesting will have to follow the laid down standard operating procedures (SOPs)." The Punjab home department has issued notification in this regard.
The Punjab government had constituted committees at district level across the province to ensure availability of personal protection equipment (PPEs) for doctors, paramedics and other staff treating coronavirus patients. The committee will be comprised of representative of deputy commissioner, army officials, medical superintendent (MS) of hospitals and chief executive officers (CEO) of district health authority. It will monitor inventory and consumption of PPEs on daily basis and will be bound to send report to the CS office.