Taking cognizance of the criticality of the current situation posed by the global threat, COVID-19, the Haryana government has ordered a complete lockdown in 7 districts including Panchkula, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Panipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, and Sonipat till March 31. More than 6,600 people are under surveillance in Haryana with 8 cases from 5 districts being positive of the pandemic disease, which includes 4 in Gurgaon, and one each in Faridabad, Sonipat, Panipat, and Panchkula, respectively.
The Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar had appealed to the public to cooperate with the government and advised not to panic. However, all essential and emergency services will remain functional during the lockdown, as per the order issued by the Haryana Home Department. The order has directed to lockdown 7 out of 22 Haryana districts along with a suspension of all inter-state bus services, in the state. Public transport services like auto-rickshaws, taxis, etc have also been suspended. Besides that, in order to monitor and manage the COVID-19 prevention activities in the state, the deputy commissioner is going to establish a control room in each district.
The order stated there should not be the congregation of more than 5 people at a public place. The person who violates such preventive measures and government orders shall be charged under IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).
“People are required to stay at home and come out only for basic services while strictly following social distancing guidelines” stated the Haryana government order. The order also directs the abroad returnees (who mostly belong to these 7 districts under lockdown) to stay under strict home quarantine for the specific time period mandated by local health authorities.
The services which will remain functional includes, Government offices under Chief Secretary orders, Air services, Hospitals, Electricity, Petrol Pumps, LPG, Warehouse, Mask and sanitizer manufacturing units, Water facilities, Sewerage, Medical equipment, Pharmaceuticals, ATMs, Banks, Municipal Services, Internet services, Postal services, Print, Electronic, Social Media, Telecom, Essential commodities manufacturing units, and online food delivery.
Earlier on 22 March, Prime Minister Narender Modi has initiated a Curfew to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by implementing ‘Janta Curfew’ from 7 AM till 9 PM with an intention to break the transmission chain.
The first case of Corona was tested positive on January 30 in Kerala. The confirmed COVID-19 cases have reached 415 as per the Health Ministry figures on March 23 in India. While the figure has reached to 341,000 globally. Centre and the state governments have decided to lockdown India’s 80 districts (of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana) completely where there are confirmed Corona cases reported. Interstate bus transport is suspended and India has also suspended visas till April 15.
Besides taking various other measures, the Health Ministry has also urged people to call on emergency helpline number +91-11-23978046 or mail on ncov2019@gmail.com, in case of any queries and help regarding Coronavirus.
