Amid record surge in Covid-19 related fatalities and daily cases, Haryana Government on Friday announced weekend lockdown in nine districts of the State.
The weekend lockdown will come into force from 10 pm on April 30 (Friday) and would remain in place till 5 am on May 3 (Monday) in districts namely Panchkula, Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Hisar, Sirsa and Fatehabad.
These are the worst affected districts due to Covid-19 in Haryana and are witnessing record number of deaths and fresh Covid cases on a daily basis. The huge surge in fresh cases in the state has also put pressure on the health infrastructure and people are now seen struggling to get beds, medicines and medical oxygen for treatment.
“As COVID-19 pandemic is again posing threat to public health, Haryana Government while considering the need of taking effective measures to prevent its spread in the state has imposed weekend lockdown in nine districts,” stated an order issued by the Chief Secretary Vijai Vardhan.
During the lockdown, the residents must stay indoors. No person shall leave their homes or shall move on foot or by vehicle or travel or stand or roam around on any road or public places during the lockdown hours, the order stated.
Those exempted from the lockdown restrictions include people tasked with law and order, emergencies and municipal services, duties including Executive Magistrates, Police personnel, Military/ C.A.P.F. personnel in uniform, health, electricity, fire, mediapersons with accreditation and Government machinery tasked with COVID-19 related duties. The movement for appearing in the examination and those on examination duties on production of admit or identity cards are also exempted.
Furthermore, there shall be no curbs on those engaged in the manufacture of essential goods. There shall be no curbs on movement (inter-state and intra-state) of essential and non-essential goods. As per the order, all vehicles or persons in bonafide transit (interstate or intra-state) shall be allowed to pass, but only after verification of point of origin and destination.
The restaurants, eating places, hotels including food joints and courts in various malls have been allowed to remain open only for home delivery.
The hospitals, veterinary hospitals and all related medical establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units, both in the public and private sector, such as dispensaries, chemist, Pharmacies (including Jan Aushadhi Kendra) and medical equipment shops, laboratories, Pharmaceutical research labs, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance etc. will continue to remain functional during the weekend in the state.
The transportation service for all medical personnel, nurses, para-medical staff, other hospital support will also be permitted.
As per the orders, the telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services. IT and IT-enabled services, delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment etc. through e-commerce would be exempted.
Apart from this, petrol pumps, LPG, Petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets, power generation, transmission and distribution units and services, cold storage and warehousing services, private security services, farming operations by farmers and farmworkers in the field and ATM are also exempted from the weekend lockdown restrictions.
The passengers going to or returning from the airport or railway station or ISBT or Bus stations shall also be exempted. All marriage functions which have taken prior permission from the concerned district magistrates or officers authorized by them shall be allowed to subject to the limit of a maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity with a ceiling of 30 persons in indoor spaces and with the ceiling of 50 persons in open spaces, the order added.
