The country-wide lockdown announced by the Government to prevent “community spread” of coronavirus was flouted by a section of people in different cities, including Delhi, prompting the Centre to direct State Governments to strictly enforce the orders and take immediate legal action against violators.
While Punjab, Maharashtra and Puducherry have imposed curfew to enforce the lockdown, some other States have promulgated section 144 to prevent gathering and to ensure “social distancing”.
The flagrant violation of the “lockdown” was observed in various cities around vegetable markets, grocery stores and kiosks. The self-quarantine sought by the Government lost its meaning as hordes of people, including motorists, who were not part of the essential services, kept asking policemen to allow them to move to their respective destinations.
The lack of clarity to implement orders to the police further allowed people to break self-restraint and go out with impunity.
In Delhi, West Bengal, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh people were seen standing in long queues purchasing vegetables and other items of daily use in complete violation of the “corona-curfew”.
Meanwhile, the Gurugram district administration on Monday made it mandatory for foreigners and travellers coming from abroad to stay in quarantine for a period prescribed by the district health department. “Whether it is a home quarantine or a quarantine facility built elsewhere, they must keep themselves in quarantine,” said a health official.
According to the spokesperson of the district administration, it is necessary for the people of the district who are coming from abroad to keep themselves in quarantine and if they see symptoms of Covid-19 then they will be kept in isolation.
“Action can be taken against those who are not living in quarantine as per rules. There is a provision of punishment of 2 to 6 months in such rules for such people,” said the spokesperson of the district administration.
He said till March 31, the Gurugram district has been locked down. During this time, if a person violates the rules laid down under the lockdown situation, then action will be taken against him under Section 269 of the IPC
“The district administration has appealed to the people to follow the rules during the lockdown and not to leave the house unnecessarily. People do not come on the streets unless it is very important and try to work from home. Also, to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, it is necessary that people stay in homes for a few days and do not come in contact with more people,” said a senior administration official.
FIR was filed against 40 people in Ahmedabad for violating Janata Curfew on Sunday. A video of people chanting slogans, dancing and clanging utensils during Janata curfew, which was called as a social distancing measure, had gone viral after which a police case was registered, an official said .Similar scenes were observed in many other States, including the national Capital where police was not scene dispersing the gatherings.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla held a video conference with DGPs of States where lockdown has been ordered and asked them to strictly implement the order, Home Ministry officials said.
The Home Secretary held a video conference with State DGPs and asked them to strictly implement lockdown in their respective state, they said.
The Central and State Governments on Sunday announced lockdown in about 80 districts where at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported. The districts where lockdown was announced included 10 each in Maharashtra and Kerala, six each in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, five each in Karnataka and Haryana, three each in Tamil Nadu and Punjab.
As people are defying the Government order of lockdown, Punjab and Puducherry Governments have announced curfew so that no one can come out of their houses.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to State Governments to ensure that rules and regulations of the coronavirus lockdown are enforced as he noted that many people are not taking the measure seriously.
“Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, save your family, follow the instructions seriously. I request state Governments to ensure rules and laws are followed,” Modi said in a tweet in Hindi.
In Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a slew of measures to counter the rapid spread of coronavirus. He announced a complete lockdown from 6 am tomorrow till midnight of March 31.
“No public transport services, including private buses, autos, e-rickshaws will be allowed during the lockdown period in Delhi. Twenty five per cent of the DTC bus fleet will continue to ply on roads of Delhi to carry people involved in essential services,” said Kejriwal.
As coronavirus cases raced to around 500 mark on Monday, several States announced a complete lockdown till the end of the month.
Commissioner of Police Delhi SN Srivastava said in wake of coronavirus outbreak, section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in Delhi. “We expect that everyone will stay at home other than people related to essential services. Strict action will be taken against those who will not follow the restrictions,” he said.
The Kerala Government announced complete lockdown in the State. All borders in the State to remain closed, operations of all public transport to cease. All places of worship to also remain closed.
The lockdown will come into effect from tonight and will continue till March 31st. Other than pharmacies, all other shops timing will be restricted from 7 am to 5 pm, said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Maharashtra which has turned a hot spot of the virus in the county has announced almost a state-wide curfew. “Compelled to announce a statewide curfew as people were not listening,” said Chief Minister Udhav Thackrey.
He said the pandemic prompted the Government to announce lockdown in nearly 80 districts across the country and suspend rail, air and inter-state bus services till March 31.
In Haryana Chief Minister Mohan Lal Khattar said declared a complete lockdown in 15 more Haryana districts from Tuesday. On Sunday seven districts in the State were locked down where positive cases were found.
The Centre has already suspended operations of domestic scheduled commercial airlines shall cease with effect from midnight on March 24.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier chaired an all-party meeting at Nabanna in Kolkata, over coronavirus Pandemic and asked the Centre to suspend all flights to Kolkatta as Bengal reported first death case with Railway employee passing away in the State Capital.