Sandip Joshi, Mayor, appealed to the people to voluntarily observe ‘Janata Curfew’ in the larger interest of themselves and their family members, and to contain the spread of COVID-19 in city. He had issued the appeal for ‘Janata Curfew’ on both remaining weekends of the month -- September 19-20 and September 26-27.

 

Following confusion among people about whether the ‘Janata Curfew’ would be ‘voluntary’ or ‘enforced’, Joshi as well as Radhakrishnan B, Municipal Commissioner, made it clear on Friday that it was a ‘voluntary’ thing. The Mayor issued a statement and clarified that ‘Janata Curfew’ meant voluntary restraint shown by the people. “If restrain shown by the people is going to be a contribution towards breaking the chain of spread of COVID-19 in city, we must show it and help the city come out of crisis. It is the voluntary responsibility of everyone,” he added.

 

According to Joshi, he made the appeal following the demand by the elected representatives. ‘Janata Curfew’ means self-discipline. Instead of raising questions as to which establishments will remain open, which will be closed, whether the cops will punish those venturing out of homes on ‘Janata Curfew’ days, Joshi said, people should make a commitment to themselves that they will stay at home on both the remaining weekends of this month. He also mentioned in the statement that many traders had given him letters of support to the ‘Janata Curfew’. It is for the traders concerned to keep their establishments closed on ‘Janata Curfew’ days, except medicine shops, he added. He appealed to the elected representatives to motivate people to observe restraint and stay at home.

 

 

 

 

 

At the same time, he clarified that students would not face any inconvenience if they are appearing for any examination on the ‘Janata Curfew’ dates. But, they should carry valid admit cards with them, he stated. Following the appeal, many people and educational institutions kept calling the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) authorities. Many even misunderstood ‘Janata Curfew’ for ‘lockdown’. The officials had a tough time making people understand the difference between ‘appeal’ and ‘order’.

 

The Municipal Commissioner tweeted, “Getting lot of queries on call of janta curfew on weekends. There is no official notification or order issued by NMC. It’s completely voluntary one. The need of the hour is avoiding unnecessary movements outside. Masks and maintaining social distancing r key. #stayhome, stay safe.” Meanwhile, in some areas of the city, roads were barricaded to control movement of traffic. Maskasath Road from Marwadi Chowk to Nehru Putla was barricaded as several COVID-19 patients were found in the lanes opening on this road. The by-lanes also were barricaded to restrict the movement of people, in an effort to break the chain of spread of COVID-19.