India starts locking down as Covid-19 cases spike

By IAR Desk and agencies

A high level meeting was held today morning with Chief Secretaries of all the States by the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. All the Chief Secretaries informed that there is overwhelming and spontaneous response to the call for Janta Curfew given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.

In view of the need to contain the spread of COVID 19, it was agreed that there is urgent need to extend the restrictions on the movement of non-essential passenger transport including inter-state transport buses till 31st March 2020.

Following detailed discussions, the State Governments were advised to issue appropriate orders to allow only essential services to operate in the 75 districts which have reported confirmed cases or casualties relating to COVID 19. The State Governments may expand the list depending on their assessment of the situation. It was noted that several State Governments have already issued orders in this regard.

Some important decisions were also taken.

All train services stand suspended till 31st March 2020 including sub-urban rail services. However, goods trains are exempted.

All metro rail services will be suspended till 31st March 2020.

State Governments will be allowing only essential services to operate in about 75 districts with confirmed COVID 19 cases.

Inter State passenger transport wilk also be suspended till 31st March 2020.

Meanwhile the state of Maharashtra which has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases has issued section 144 of the Indian Penal Code which forbids the assembly of five people or more.

The Delhi and National Capital Region will also be shutting down from Monday till March, 31st. All metro rail, inter-state bus, and train services will stop functioning, only essential travel, transportation will be allowed.

India has till now registered 396 Covid-19 positive cases with six deaths till now.

Aditi Bhaduri

See author's posts