Total lock-down it is! 30 states, UTs to to check the spread of COVID-19

New Delhi, March 24: India, amid the COVID-19 epidemic, has locked down all 30 states and Union Territories covering 548 districts to a total, checking the spread of coronavirus, as revealed by the Ministry of Health Affairs on Monday. "State governments have issued orders allowing only essential services to operate in about 75 districts with confirmed COVID-19 cases or casualties", the statement read.

 

 

The Centre has also 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 government release bureau.

"This is the start of a long fight," PM Modi tweeted as the curfew came to an end and people came out onto their balconies and stood near open windows to clap, bang on metal vessels and ring bells to cheer emergency workers battling the spread of the coronavirus. "Many Indians are not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, save your family, follow the instructions seriously," he said taking to Twitter on Monday.

 

While from Maharashtra to Uttar Pradesh and from Punjab to Kerala, different states have announced a slew of measures, a surge in Coronavirus cases across the nation remains a challnege. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the total number of corona cases in India have reached 471, while the death toll has touched 17 Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, the Aviation Ministry has announced no domestic commercial flight to operate in India from Wednesday onward.