In line with Central Government’s decision of declaring Chandigarh as Covid-19 hotspot, the UT Administration on Monday announced to make entire Union Territory of Chandigarh as “containment zone”.
The Administration issued an order in this regard stating that the cases of outbreak of Covid-19 in Chandigarh are seen as scattered, non-contiguous and sporadic in nature and spread, thus the entire city is declared as “containment zone”. The order, which came into force with immediate effect, will remain valid till the midnight of May 3.
With the entire Chandigarh declared as “containment zone”, 15 out of total 38 outer borders of the city have been closed till further orders, in a bid to contain spread of coronavirus.
The outer borders that have been permanently closed till further orders included Sarangpur barrier, Jayanti Majri, Manimajra road towards Mansa Devi, Mauli Jagran road to Sector 17 Panchkula, Mauli Jagran road to Sector-17/18 Panchkula, road dividing Sector-52 C and D, road dividing Sectors-52 and 53, Badheri barrier PS-39, road dividing Sectors 55 and 56 among others.
While the UT Police had laid 38 outer border nakas on a round-the-clock basis after curfew imposition on March 24, infrared thermometers have now also been provided to the Police personnel for screening of all persons entering into the city from neighboring states. The city has so far recorded 27 positive cases of coronavirus, out of which 14 have recovered till Monday evening. While 2004 were put in home quarantine as a precautionary measure, 1447 have completed the quarantine period. A nationwide lockdown had begun from March 25 (12 am) while curfew was imposed in Chandigarh on March 24 (12 am) to ensure social distancing and combat the spread of coronavirus.
“Curfew order in the city will remain in place till May 3 and violation of the same will be punishable under the law. No additional relaxation whatsoever will be permitted till May 3 as per the guidelines of Union Ministry of Home Affairs,” stated the UT Administration’s order issued on Monday.
“After consultation with the medical experts, the Chandigarh Administration is of considered opinion that the entire city of Chandigarh needs to be kept under strict measures of containment of spread of the Coronavirus,” it added.
Manoj Parida, Adviser to UT Administrator said, “Since in Chandigarh, Coronavirus outbreak is scattered and not confined to a specific pocket, area, village or cluster, entire union territory has been declared as containment zone.”
“The containment zone is basically to contain the spread of infection by focusing entire energy and resources of Government on steps including regulated entry to the city, intensified testing, quarantining, closing offices, non-essential items shops, transport social events, many of which are already done under curfew order,” he said.
Among various measures taken by the Administration, it has banned spitting at public places, banned the sale of chewing gum, bubble gum, pan masala and other allied products for the next three months and made wearing of face masks mandatory at public places.
The UT Administration has also approached Punjab and Haryana Governments to run their offices in Chandigarh with minimal staff, since the entire city has been declared as “containment zone” and is under curfew.