Punjab, Maharashtra declare statewide curfew as COVID-19 cases reach 415

New Delhi, Mar 23: The spread of coronavirus is increasing with the Indian tally touching 415 according to the Ministry of Health sources restrictions of all kinds notwithstanding. The Centre has warned of punitive actions against those violating these restrictions.

Punjab became the first state to declare statewide curfew with no relaxation to ward off the COVID-19. Maharashtra, too, followed the suit with announcing sealing of the district borders. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced Monday afternoon this sealing of district borders and statewide curfew.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced stopping of all domestic flights from Wednesday midnight. “No domestic commercial flight will operate in India from Wednesday onwards. Airlines will have to land all their domestic flight at destinations by 11.59 pm on Tuesday,” the Ministry said.

Globally, the death toll due to Coronavirus has touched 14500 and over 300,000 have been infected by the COVID-19. The US has recorded nearly 400 deaths after China and Italy respectively.

Punjab and Maharashtra became the prime states to declare statewide curfew and sealing of district borders to ward off this deadly virus in the near future. People are found violating restrictions imposed by the government in many cities and towns forcing the government to take such stringent measures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also asked the state governments to ensure rules and regulations of the coronavirus lockdown are enforced as people are not serious about adhering to restrictions.

"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," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

Various state governments have taken extraordinary measures in view of this serious threat. Delhi, Jharkhand, Nagaland declared statewide lockdown while Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal have taken similar measures.

Punjab and Maharashtra have declared statewide curfew and sealing of district borders.

As many as 80 districts in the country have been placed under strict lockdown including the major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai under travel and movement restrictions.

The Centre has issued directions to state governments, asking them to take legal action against those who are found violating the lockdown orders.

“States have been asked to strictly enforce the lockdown in the areas where it has been announced. Legal action will be taken against violators,” tweeted the Press Information Bureau.

The country registered 55 fresh cases from different parts, taking the tally to 415 which includes 41 foreign nationals and seven deaths. Gujarat, Bihar, and Maharashtra reported a death each on Sunday.

Till Monday morning, Delhi had reported 29 positive cases, including a foreigner, while Uttar Pradesh recorded 28, also including a foreigner, it added. Rajasthan reported 27 cases, of which two are foreigners. Telangana reported 26 cases, including 11 foreigners. Karnataka has 26 coronavirus patients, the ministry said.

Dubbing coronavirus as a "lifetime challenge", the prime minister while speaking to representatives of television news channels through a video-conference said it needed to be tackled through new and innovative solutions.

"The tireless efforts of the reporters, camerapersons, and technicians are a great service to the nation. The media should counter pessimism and panic through positive communication. COVID-19 is a lifetime challenge and it needs to be tackled through new and innovative solutions," Modi said.

According to an official release, he also thanked the media for understanding the gravity of the pandemic threat and appreciated the role played by the news channels in spreading awareness.

"A long battle lies ahead of us, whereby awareness on social distancing has to be spread and information about latest developments and key decisions needs to be communicated swiftly and professionally by the channels through an easy-to-grasp language," the prime minister said.