Top Headlines of the Day

1. Chandigarh Administration mulls ban on the sale of firecrackers

The city may witness a cracker-free Diwali this year. In view of the fear of a second surge of coronavirus due to an increase in pollution, the UT Administration is considering imposing a ban on the sale of firecrackers in the city this festival season. The Administration today put on hold the issuance of temporary licenses for selling firecrackers in the city even after holding a draw of lots to issue 96 licenses.

“Doctors have opined that toxic air arising out of crackers is likely to affect the lungs and, hence, residents should avoid or minimize bursting of firecrackers during the festival season,” he said, adding that there was a need to keep the city pollution-free so that there was no resurgence of lung diseases or Covid cases.

2. Chandigarh Administration withholds issuance of licenses for firecrackers

An officer said the draw of lots was held today to issue 96 licenses for selling firecrackers, but the result had been withheld. UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore would take a final call on the issue, said the officer. The Administrator was likely to consider the possibility of a second wave of Covid-19 during the festival season due to an increase in pollution before taking the final decision.

On grant of license, the shopkeepers will be allowed to sell firecrackers only on November 12, 13, and 14.

3. Bad air quality can increase Covid-19 fatalities, warns UT health department

Amid the deteriorating air quality, the Chandigarh health department has warned against the bursting of firecrackers, which experts warned will increase the Covid-related complications, including fatalities.

“Several studies conducted in Italy and the US have shown that high levels of air pollution are linked to higher rates of mortality due to Covid-19. Reports have also shown that 15% of the corona-related deaths are due to air pollution and the elderly and persons with comorbidities are at the greater risk,” the health department said.

The constant threat of the second surge of Covid-19 looming large, clubbed with air pollution caused by the bursting of crackers and fireworks, can be dangerous for the people with compromised lungs, the department has said.

It further added that as winters set in, dry air could aggravate breathing difficulties, especially among those suffering from lung ailments.

“If we add smoke to the ambient air by bursting crackers, then it could turn into a recipe for disaster. The poisonous gas that is emitted from crackers and fireworks is particularly dangerous for people who are suffering from coronavirus, whether in hospital or in quarantine. Even those who have recovered from the infection will become vulnerable if we do not restrain ourselves this Diwali,” the advisory stated.

4. Road cones for safe passage to cyclists

In a bid to ensure a safe passage for cyclists where there are no cycle tracks, the UT traffic police have decided to place cones on roads. Cones have been placed on the Sukhna Lake road on a pilot basis.

“The cones have been placed from the barricade chowk towards the lake road on a pilot basis, which will be replicated on other roads,” the DSP said. At present, cones are placed on the road during morning and evening hours. However, these will be affixed soon so that these cannot be removed. The DSP said the cones would also be affixed on the other two roads — the road separating Sector 16 and 17 and the road separating Sector 15 and 16.

5. 44 test positive in Panchkula and 55 in Mohali and 185 in Chandigarh

The district on Tuesday saw 44 fresh cases of Covid during the past 24 hours, taking the total count to 7,231. No new fatality was reported. So far, 6,871 patients have been cured of the disease in the district. There are 244 active cases with 116 deaths

A 56-year-old man from Manimajra in Chandigarh died at a private hospital in Mohali while 185 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the Tricity on Tuesday.

Chandigarh’s death toll rose to 227, while its infection tally climbed to 14,608 with 86 new cases.

With 43 patients being discharged, the number of recoveries reached 13,751, and the active cases rose to 629 from Monday’s 593.

 

6. 9 shows, none turns up at multiplex in Mohali & Zirakpur

The first day of the reopening of multiplexes in Mohali district witnessed nine shows at a Zirakpur-based multiplex but not a single viewer.

The Inox multiplex, near Zirakpur, remained empty throughout the day as no one stepped in to watch a movie on the first day of its reopening after the lockdown.

Officials said they had made all arrangements according to the guidelines and SOPs issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Nine shows were arranged for the public with 50 percent seating capacity in each theatre.

A multiplex representative, Ravish, said: “Mostly, there were Punjabi movies, including the Carry on Jatta sequel, a crowd favorite, but people seem to be in wait-and-not watch mode. We are open from now onwards and hope that visitors will start turning up soon.”

 

7. Chandigarh private schools to remain shut till Diwali

Private schools in the city have decided not to open until Diwali and take another survey seeking parents’ views on the reopening of schools.

In a fresh survey conducted by private schools, only 15 percent of parents have agreed to send their wards to schools. President of the Independent School Association HS Mamik said, “We will open schools only when 50 percent of the parents agree to send their children to schools. We will again carry a survey after 10 days and seek parents’ opinions. So far, the consensus is that many private schools in the city will not open till Diwali.”

 

8. Professional golf set to resume today sans scorers, spectators

With the PGTI conducting its first event – Tata Steel Players Championship 2020 – in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in Panchkula and at Chandigarh Golf Club from November 4, the organizers are trying to make it a no-contact event.

The tournament will have a full turnout as all participants have cleared their Covid-19 test, a must before participating in any Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) championship.

After this event, the PGTI is hosting another Players Championship from November 9 to 12 at the same venues, followed by Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational 2020, from December 3 to 6, at Chandigarh Golf Club.

The prize purse for the first two events is Rs 30 lakh each while for Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational its Rs 1.5 crore.

9. Pay ‘more’ for parking from next month

Be ready to pay more for parking in the city from the next month. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has directed parking contractors to install smart features in the parking lots by November 30.

An official said the revised rates would only be implemented if the contractors equip all parking lots with smart features.

The MC House in September last year had approved the time slab-based parking rates, but the contractors were asked to collect the revised rates only after putting up parking lots with smart facilities.

Duration-based charges

After the revised rates, the parking fee for the first four hours will Rs5 for two-wheelers and Rs10 for four-wheelers.

Thereafter, the charges will be doubled for 4 to 12 hours. The charges will further be doubled if vehicles are kept parked beyond 12 hours. There will be free entry for pick and drop in the first 10 minutes.

There are 89 parking lots in the city. All parking lots will allow day passes for multiple entries and monthly passes too.

 

10. PGIMER’s knee school for patients suffering from osteoarthritis goes online

As routine healthcare services have taken a hit amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has introduced online knee schools for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

The doctors running the online clinic have reported that the preliminary experience in patients showed that e-Knee Schools(eKS) are a viable option that could reduce costs and logistical issues of both patients and doctors during these difficult times.

E-Knee School has provided a way to remotely deliver non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs), disease education, and monitor patients via real-time online platforms.

As many as 25 eligible patients, previously recruited during the pilot phase, were invited to join a virtual platform for a modified protocol, with discussions and exercises, that included stretching, strengthening, warm-up, and cool down.

 

Souce: Tribune, HT Times