On second day of the weekend on Sunday, the markets, hotels, restaurants remained closed but at several places the groups of people were visible, defying the orders of administration. At the same time, the uniformity in implementation of order, too, lacked. Especially, the policemen were seen taking action against some and leaving some others. This lack of uniformity in the implementing restrictions resulted in people taking undue advantage, enjoying freedom. Though, the order of Municipal Commissioner and District Collector had not prevented morning walkers, the crowding was not expected. At Chakdradhar Nagar, a group of 15-20 people gathered, sat together violating the norms of physical distancing.

 

People in large number gathered in front of a eating joint at Sadar, famous for Dosa. No action was taken neither against them nor against the hotel. As per the order hotels are not supposed to operate except for takeaway food items. At Nandanvan, a good gathering was witnessed in a Karyalaya. There were no specific instructions by the civic administration restricting functions in Karyalaya, but number of people more than 50 were not allowed. According to a witness, the number has crossed the stipulated one. Though the order has not restricted the operation of roadside eating joints, tea-vendors but all of them kept their kiosks closed.

 

According to one kiosk-owner, people at such small joints gather in large numbers leading to break social distancing rules. Traffic policemen were not present at some squares as they were deployed either in the patrolling or at some spots where they interrogated public. Most people jumped the signals in absence of traffic police at squares. The prominent markets like Cotton Market, Ashirwad Nagar Market, Gokulpeth Market, Mangalwari Market, Budhwar Bajar, Sakkardara, Jaitala Market remained closed. People found out their ways by approaching small vendors selling vegetables in lanes inside the localities. There are several families in city those go to vegetable markets on Sunday to have the stock for the next week. After a long they again missed visiting the markets. Some daily needs kiosk owners did smart work, they kept the stock of vegetables and other essential commodities apart from items they sell regularly. Areas like Jafar Nagar, Katol road, Gaddigodam, Timki, Vaishali Nagar, Mangalwari, Ashirwad Nagar, Manewada, Uday Nagar, Kalamna, Pardi, Hansapuri, Hingna Road, Friends Colony, Hasanbag, Mankapur, Avasti Nagar, Martin Nagar, Parvati Nagar, Manish Nagar, Tekdi Road, Rambag Colony, Imambada, Dipti Signal, Janki Nagar, Ganjakhet, Itwari Kirana Oli, Shahid Chowk, Great Nag Road, Narendra Nagar, Besa, Bhagwan Nagar, Vishwakarma Nagar, Somwari Quarters, New Nandanvan witnessed less movements on road.Good traffic was witnessed in morning hours and by afternoon it got depleted. Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, Dy Mayor Manisha Dhawade, CP Amitesh Kumar, Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B, Collector Ravindra Thakare, some senior police officers took a round of city to check if people are following the rules or not. 

 

Vaccination for senior citizens from today Along with regular vaccinations for health workers and frontline workers, Covid-19 vaccinations for senior citizens will start from Monday at 11 Government centres in city. In addition to senior citizens, people over 45 years of age with a serious illness will also be vaccinated. Vaccination will be available at 11 government centres designated by the Public Health Department of Maharashtra Government. In the first phase, health workers or front line workers who could not get vaccinated due to non-registration can also go to this centre to register and get vaccinated. Vaccination starts from 9 am on March 1 from at the designated Government centres. Names of Government Centres: Two centres at Panchpaoli Sutikagruha, two centres at Government Medical Colleges and Hospital and Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital respectively, Police Hospital at Zingabai Takli, Indira Gandhi Hospital of NMC at Gandhi Nagar, Isolation Hospital at Imamwada, AIIMS, ESIS Hospital. Documents: Those who wanted to be vaccinated should take along Aadhar card to the vaccination centre. In case Aadhar is not available then citizens can also register by showing the identity card on which the date of birth is displayed. Those who are front line workers should register by showing their job identity card and those who are health workers should register by showing their hospital identity card. Registration can be done by visiting the actual centre while on-line registration at home through the app Cowin app or through Arogya Setu App.

 

NMC extends ‘lockdown’ till March 31 Municipal Commissioner has formally notified extension in ‘lockdown’, however without any restrictions barring the prevailing one on weekend till March 31, complying with the directives issued by State Government. Though almost all the sectors are now open, the specter of COVID-19 is again a troubling indicators of not so good conditions prevailing in the city. The extension of lockdown should be read with Mission Begin Again phase of unlocking all the sector in a calibrated way to restore normalcy in society. The sudden spike in COVID-19 in the city however necessitated partial lockdown wherein certain restrictions was imposed to avoid crowding and prevent mass transmission of virus. On weekends all markets were closed with emphasis on breaking the transmission chain as this was the only alternative to stem the fast rise in positive patients in city. Especially the wholesale markets dates back to early days and hence crowding is almost a daily affair giving goose bumps to the administration. Even the permission given for schools and colleges was hastily withdrawn to prevent lesser people out on the streets. Now hopes are pinned on mass vaccination with Central Government allowing private hospitals to start inoculation against COVID-19 to general people. y Municipal Commissioner however spooked the society as it was widely shared on social media and was read against background of current partial lockdown. However, NMC clarified that the said order is just a technicality and should be read in context of unlocking phase. During the month ahead, the activities permitted by State so far would continue as usual without any curbs, barring the current partial lockdown till March 7.