12-hour blockade imposed in the city, essential services in

The State Administration has imposed severe restrictions on the movement of people and non-essential services from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Saturday for the next seven days, following the spike in COVID-19 cases in the city. The state shunned a total isolation taking into account job losses, migration and the negative impact on the economy last year.

Friday was a day of council hall meetings led by the Chief Deputy Minister and the Guardian Minister of Pune. Ajit pawar which saw officials discuss whether or not to impose a complete blockade on Pune. After extensive discussions, Pawar and officials concluded that decisions regarding a total lockdown would be made in another review on Friday based on observations from the seven-day sidewalks.

Pune Division Commissioner Saurabh rao He said: “We have tried not to impose a complete blockade. However, there will be restrictions on public movement, except essential and emergency services from 6 pm to 6 am for the next seven days starting on Saturday ”.

On Friday, citizens rushed to stores to stock up on daily supplies amid many rumors; PHOTO: RAHUL DESHMUKH

The administration has also announced that all restaurants, hotels, bars, shopping malls, movie theaters and religious venues will be completely closed for these seven days to restrict public movement amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic in Pune District. “Parcel and home delivery services will continue as we don’t want to inconvenience citizens who need to order food from restaurants,” Rao said.

Public buses will be off the roads for a week. “We have decided to stop the local public transport service in the city for the next seven days. However, interdistrict or state transportation will continue to operate. People coming from other districts and states will have to make their own transportation arrangements within the city, ”Rao added.

The district administration has said that corporate offices and factories will remain open for the next week under some stricter restrictions including weekly testing of workers. “Offices and factories can continue their operations. However, employers will have to organize transportation for their employees, if necessary. ”

Although it is not a total lockdown, the administration said there will be a heavy police presence in the city to implement the restrictions like last year.

Pune Police Deputy Commissioner Ravindra shisve He said: “There were a total of 117 checkpoints in the city during the closing of last year. We are reviewing these implementations, on the basis of which some checkpoints with heavy police deployments will be established, albeit with a humanitarian approach ”.

Shisve said employees traveling to work will need to present their official identity cards. “We hope that employers will provide them with letters mentioning the need to travel to work. These citizens will not face any action. There will be a police presence in the streets to deter unnecessary public movement, ”he added.