NAGPUR: Due to sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in Vidarbha, district collectors in all 11 districts of the region imposed lockdown-like restrictions on Thursday, valid at least till this weekend. As the local administration cannot impose complete lockdown without central government permission; they are calling the restrictions as regulations, or night curfew etc. The main objective is to stop crowding and ban superspreader events like marriages, processions, and public gatherings.
The worst-hit Amravati district, where 597 of total 1,799 samples tested positive in a day, the district administration has announced weekend lockdown from 8pm of Saturday to 7am of Monday. Even after the weekend, all establishments, including hotels and restaurants, would stay open till 8pm only.
“To avoid any stricter lockdown in future, I appeal to people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour,” said district collector Shailesh Naval.
Dr Subhash Salunkhe, an adviser to the Maharashtra government, said the ongoing viral activity in Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal is “extremely unusual” and called the rise “exponential”. “The virus is definitely more transmissible. Importantly, it appears that the pneumonia is setting in early, which can lead to more deaths if cases rise rapidly,” he said. The only upside till now, he said, was that the spread appeared to be in “isolated small pockets”.
Salunkhe has been visiting some of the districts in Vidarbha currently witnessing a surge since the past few days. “In some of the houses we visited, every family member was infected. What we are seeing in Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal is something unusual. If we fail to contain it in the next fortnight, the spread will be rapid in the state and across the country,” he said. Salunkhe cited the example of a testing centre at Amravati, where 350 out of 700 tested positive. According to him, the spread is likely from Nagpur all the way till Aurangabad.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has not announced any night curfew or weekend shut down so far. But strict restrictions have been imposed on marriage functions, processions and community gatherings. On Thursday, NMC made it mandatory for the hall and lawn owners to get prior permission from an assistant commissioner before hosting any marriage function or public gathering at their venue.
In Akola, collector Jitendra Papalkar imposed night curfew and weekend shutdown from the coming weekend until next announcement. In Akola too, marriage hall owners need to inform local police about marriage function and give undertaking that only 50 guests will attend the event. No processions are allowed in Akola. School, colleges, coaching centres will also remain closed. Barring emergency services, all commercial activities will close by 8pm daily.
In Yavatmal, collector M Devender Singh revised the restriction norms issued on February 16 and ordered shops to shut at 8pm instead of 10pm. The fine on those not wearing masks, or failing to maintain physical distancing has been increased to Rs1,000. The administration also refused permission to the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ scheduled in Yavatmal next week. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was to address this conference.
In Washim, collector Shanmugarajan S declared ban on social gatherings, cultural and religious events and processions until next orders. Temples and other religious centres will continue their routine with restricted attendance.
In Bhandara, collector Sandip Kadam has it mandatory to get prior permission of police department for organizing any public event or a function like marriage where people gather. He also ordered preparations at Covid Care Centers (CCCs) in district.
Wardha district collector Prerna Deshbhratar ordered markets to close by 7pm and eateries by 9pm. Gondia and Gadchiroli districts are not experiencing any major spike in new cases, still administrations there have issued similar restrictions on public movement.
Chandrapur district administration is on alert following rising number of patients in neighbouring Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal districts. Collector Ajay Gulhane has ordered a second sero survey by testing over 5,000 people across the district for Covid antibodies.
He also held a virtual meeting with officials, political parties, medical and social organizations, and directed them to take up awareness regarding preventive measures. He directed testing of potential super spreaders like newspaper distributors, vegetable vendors, grocers, barbers etc and keeping Covid facilities ready to deal with sudden spurt in cases.
Micro containment, he said, was one of the immediate solutions. “The rural pockets are hit as much as urban,” Salunkhe said. He also cited the example of Murtizapur in Amravati, where the local MLA has taken steps to ensure quality home isolation. “That will certainly be a model to follow. Local leaders must see that people stay home and follow quarantine,” he said. About reports of mutations, Salunkhe said he will wait for the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune’s report to confirm things.
The worst-hit Amravati district, where 597 of total 1,799 samples tested positive in a day, the district administration has announced weekend lockdown from 8pm of Saturday to 7am of Monday. Even after the weekend, all establishments, including hotels and restaurants, would stay open till 8pm only.
“To avoid any stricter lockdown in future, I appeal to people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour,” said district collector Shailesh Naval.
Dr Subhash Salunkhe, an adviser to the Maharashtra government, said the ongoing viral activity in Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal is “extremely unusual” and called the rise “exponential”. “The virus is definitely more transmissible. Importantly, it appears that the pneumonia is setting in early, which can lead to more deaths if cases rise rapidly,” he said. The only upside till now, he said, was that the spread appeared to be in “isolated small pockets”.
Salunkhe has been visiting some of the districts in Vidarbha currently witnessing a surge since the past few days. “In some of the houses we visited, every family member was infected. What we are seeing in Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal is something unusual. If we fail to contain it in the next fortnight, the spread will be rapid in the state and across the country,” he said. Salunkhe cited the example of a testing centre at Amravati, where 350 out of 700 tested positive. According to him, the spread is likely from Nagpur all the way till Aurangabad.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has not announced any night curfew or weekend shut down so far. But strict restrictions have been imposed on marriage functions, processions and community gatherings. On Thursday, NMC made it mandatory for the hall and lawn owners to get prior permission from an assistant commissioner before hosting any marriage function or public gathering at their venue.
In Akola, collector Jitendra Papalkar imposed night curfew and weekend shutdown from the coming weekend until next announcement. In Akola too, marriage hall owners need to inform local police about marriage function and give undertaking that only 50 guests will attend the event. No processions are allowed in Akola. School, colleges, coaching centres will also remain closed. Barring emergency services, all commercial activities will close by 8pm daily.
In Yavatmal, collector M Devender Singh revised the restriction norms issued on February 16 and ordered shops to shut at 8pm instead of 10pm. The fine on those not wearing masks, or failing to maintain physical distancing has been increased to Rs1,000. The administration also refused permission to the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ scheduled in Yavatmal next week. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was to address this conference.
In Washim, collector Shanmugarajan S declared ban on social gatherings, cultural and religious events and processions until next orders. Temples and other religious centres will continue their routine with restricted attendance.
In Bhandara, collector Sandip Kadam has it mandatory to get prior permission of police department for organizing any public event or a function like marriage where people gather. He also ordered preparations at Covid Care Centers (CCCs) in district.
Wardha district collector Prerna Deshbhratar ordered markets to close by 7pm and eateries by 9pm. Gondia and Gadchiroli districts are not experiencing any major spike in new cases, still administrations there have issued similar restrictions on public movement.
Chandrapur district administration is on alert following rising number of patients in neighbouring Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal districts. Collector Ajay Gulhane has ordered a second sero survey by testing over 5,000 people across the district for Covid antibodies.
He also held a virtual meeting with officials, political parties, medical and social organizations, and directed them to take up awareness regarding preventive measures. He directed testing of potential super spreaders like newspaper distributors, vegetable vendors, grocers, barbers etc and keeping Covid facilities ready to deal with sudden spurt in cases.
Micro containment, he said, was one of the immediate solutions. “The rural pockets are hit as much as urban,” Salunkhe said. He also cited the example of Murtizapur in Amravati, where the local MLA has taken steps to ensure quality home isolation. “That will certainly be a model to follow. Local leaders must see that people stay home and follow quarantine,” he said. About reports of mutations, Salunkhe said he will wait for the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune’s report to confirm things.
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