Mundhe warns of another lockdown, if people continue to flout the norms
   Date :12-Jul-2020

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Tukaram Mundhe, Municipal Commissioner, has warned of another ‘lockdown’ if Nagpurians do not follow the guidelines issued while relaxing lockdown under ‘Mission Begin Again’.
 
“If people do not follow the guidelines, some stricter decisions will have to be taken. Decision to impose lockdown will have to be taken,” Mundhe stated in a press release. From Monday, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Police administration will keep a watch over people violating the norms. Stringent action will be taken against individuals, organisations, private establishments etc violating the norms. If necessary, offences will be registered against violators, he warned. He appealed to the people to report violations to NMC or Police Department.
 
Expressing concern over spike in number of COVID-19 cases in Nagpur in the past few days, Mundhe stated that people were not following the guidelines properly. The first patient of COVID-19 was found in Nagpur city on March 11. In the four months since then, Nagpur has recorded total 1,789 patients. However, the number of cases has gone up especially in the past one-and-a-half months. State Government relaxed lockdown since June 1 under ‘Mission Begin Again’ and issued certain guidelines to be followed.
 
“However, guidelines issued by State Government and Nagpur Municipal Corporation are being flouted. Private or Government establishments were allowed to function with 15 persons or 15 per cent staff strength, whichever is more. This norm also is being flouted. Shops in markets were allowed to function on alternate days from 9 am to 7 pm. But, these norms also are being violated,” stated the Municipal Commissioner.
 
It is the duty of shop-owners to ensure that consumers follow social distancing norms and wear masks. But, he said, there has been neglect towards this guideline. Further, many people are roaming around in the city unnecessarily. Two persons are riding two-wheelers and five people are travelling in four-wheelers.
 
Central Prison has become a new ‘hotspot’, Mundhe stated. Of a total 500 prisoners tested, 300 have tested positive for COVID-19.
Around 1,200 more are to be tested. If people do not want such ‘hotspots’ to develop in the city, they should follow the norms and break the chain of spread of COVID-19, he appealed to the people.