Nagpur: Alarmed by massive surge in Covid-19 infection cases in Amravati division over last one week, the administration has decided to enforce weeklong lockdown in Amravati and Achalpur cities in Amravati district, from 8pm of Monday to 6am of March 1. Similarly, Akola, Murtijapur and Akot cities in Akola district will also go into complete lockdown from 6am of February 23 to 8am of March 1.
While Covid situation is still under control in most districts of Nagpur division, the administration has announced revised restrictions in Nagpur district and is likely to announce more curbs on Monday.
Amravati district has reported 7,470 new cases and 43 Covid deaths since February 1. This includes the single-day all-time high of 727 on Saturday. Sunday also saw 709 new cases being detected.
Amravati collector Shailesh Naval said there will be no restrictions on JEE entrance and other such exams that are scheduled to be held in the district from February 23 to 28. Naval said concerned authorities should give the information of exam centres and students to respective tehsildars and examinees should carry their I-cards with them to be allowed to commute for the test.
Amravati guardian minister Yashomati Thakur held a meeting with divisional commissioner Piyush Singh and district collector Shailesh Naval to review Covid situation. Thakur addressed a press meet following this meeting in which she announced one-week lockdown in Amravati and Achalpur cities and restricted business in other parts of the district.
Thakur said a week’s lockdown has become inevitable following alarming increase in the daily detection of Covid patients and deaths. “Both numbers are increasing fast. We need to control the cases and casualties too,” she said. The number of beds in the city will be increased from 1,400 to 1,600 and strict restrictions will be imposed in nine containment zones announced by Amravati Municipal Corporation, she added.
Thakur said during the lockdown all shops, barring those dealing in essential commodities, will remain closed along with government and private educational institutions, private coaching classes, training schools. The minister said cinema houses, gyms, swimming pools, parks will also remain shut and entertainment, educational, cultural, religious and other gatherings will not be permitted.
Akola collector Jitendra Papalkar also came out with lockdown orders for some parts of the district.
Apart from the weeklong lockdown in 5 cities, restrictions will be in place in other parts of the division. Other districts in Amravati division — Washim, Buldhana and Yavatmal — will have restrictions like mid-September Covid-19 peak. Divisional commissioner Piyush Singh issued a circular in this regard on Sunday. The restriction orders will be effective from midnight on February 21 till 8am on March 1.
As per orders by Singh for other parts in the division, all types of shops and establishments will be allowed to remain open from 9am to 5pm, all types of restaurants will be allowed only parcel service without actual operation of the hotels, and only 25 persons including bride and groom will be allowed for weddings. Religious places will continue to be open to the public, but gathering has been limited to 10 at a time. Any person violating these orders will be booked under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, says the order.
Lockdown 2.0
Weeklong Full Lockdown In 5 Cities:
Amravati, Achalpur, Akola, Murtijapur and Akot will be under lockdown from Monday night
All shops except those dealing in essentials and hotels to remain closed
Educational institutions, cinema halls, gyms, parks, marriage venues/lawns will remain shut
Cultural, religious and other gatherings not permitted
Lockdown to continue till 8am of March 1
Restricted Movement In Other Parts Of Amravati Div
All types of shops / establishments will be open from 9am to 5pm
Restaurants will be allowed only parcel facility
25 persons including bride and groom allowed for wedding
50% of total capacity will be allowed for passenger transport
Religious places will remain open, gathering limited to 10 persons at a time
Schools, colleges, educational training centres, private tutoring classes, coaching classes will be closed in rural and urban areas of entire Amravati division
All types of cinemas, gymnasiums, swimming pools, recreation, parks, theatres will be closed
Private offices to operate with 15% or 15 employees whichever is higher
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