New Delhi: Amid coronavirus threat in India and an attempt to stop the infectious disease from spreading, Delhi Commissioner of Police S.N. Shrivastava has imposed prohibitory orders in the national capital on Sunday till March 31.
The decision was taken after the Centre decided to only allow only essential services in 75 COVID-19 affected districts.
Imposing section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 in Delhi, Shrivastava in the order stated: “Whereas, based on declaration by World Health Organisation on March 11, 2020 of the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic and notifications issued by the Government of India and Government of NCT of Delhi, it is apprehended that there is likelihood of fast and widespread community transmission of COVID-19.”
In the order, six prohibitions have been highlighted. It stated that assembly of any kind of demonstration, procession, protests is prohibited.
“Any gathering social/cultural/political/religious/academic/sports/seminar/conference is prohibited,” it stated.
Shrivastava also pointed that organization of weekly markets, — except of vegetable, fruits and essentials commodities — concerts, and exhibitions are prohibited.
Guided group tours conducted by various private tour operators are also prohibited.
He also said that persons suspected of COVID -19 need to cooperate with the surveillance personnel.
“Any individual suspected/confirmed with COVID-19 shall take measures for prevention/treatment that home quarantine/institution quarantine/isolation or any such person shall cooperate to render assistance or comply with the directions of surveillance personnel,” it stated.
The Commissioner of Police has directed that any person contravening the order will be punishable under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of Indian Penal Code
He also directed his men and other municipal corporations to implement the order.
Lockdown in states
Following in the footsteps of Punjab and Rajasthan, Telangana will also lockdown till March 31 to combat coronavirus.
A decision in this regard was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday.
The Chief Minister will make a formal announcement this evening.
The decision came on a day when the state is observing a 24-hour shutdown. Backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Janata Curfew’ call, Rao extended it by 10 hours.
Telangana has so far reported 21 COVID-19 positive cases. The first secondary transmission came to light on Saturday, sending the alarm bells ringing. The son of a man who had returned from Dubai and tested positive on March 19, was also found infected by the virus.
In Maharashtra
As Covid-19 claimed its second victim in in Maharashtra in four days and number of cases rose to 74, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday announced a ‘near-total’ lockdown of Maharashtra from midnight.
The announcement came close on the heels of the shutting of Indian Railways including Mumbai’s lifeline, the suburban locals, for 10 days till March 31, and has been reinforced by slapping prohibitory orders all over the state.
“Attendance in government offices has been slashed down to only 5 percent, only bare essential services and retail outlets like vegetables, groceries, milk, pharmacies and others shall be functional. I once again appeal to all to stay at home and don’t step out unless absolutely essential,” Thackeray said in a television statement a short while ago.
The move follows the state orders shutting down all schools, colleges, public places, private companies, religious and tourist places, most public transport, buses from neighbouring states and taking other desperate measures to keep prevent crowds since the past three days.
Meanwhile UP has announced lockdown in 15 districts and Madhya Pradesh in 10 district.
