With no respite from daily surge in positive cases of novel coronavirus, the stage is set for yet another weekend lockdown in entire Maharashtra. From Friday night onwards, roads in city appeared deserted as citizens ensured they reach home in time as police already spelled out their action plan through route marches all over city. As administration is keen on breaking the transmission chain of COVID-19 to help bring down the viral load of cases, the message amplified is that without any emergency no one should be on roads till Monday morning.

 

Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar on Friday supervised the bandboast arrangement in run up to the lockdown that is going to be strictly enforced without any leniency, barring exemptions for essential categories. Though administration has now stated that all shops in essential sector would be open but citizens would have to do lot of explanations for stepping out of house. So the enforcement agency is likely to again face pressure in keeping citizens in safe confines of their homes. Or might be in morning hours there may be some relaxation to allow people for grabbing supplies of vegetables, milk and medicines and other necessary items.

 

Meanwhile, city traders’ threat to open the shops in protest against lockdown failed to materialise as since morning city police machinery moved out in full strengthen in wholesale markets to drive home the message about need to obey the State Government’s order. A feeble protest, however, continued in some corners by traders who are resisting administration attempt as they claim frequent lockdown is affecting the business.

 

During the month of March the city already saw weekend curbs enforced by local administration in name of need to break the transmission chain and hence traders suffered huge losses during end of financial year. But as situation on pandemic front becoming grim with each passing day, and daily load crossing the limit of already over stretched health machinery, the lockdown became necessary, said the administration.

 

Given the threat perception of infection majority of traders in city and in semi urban parts of district have chosen to play safe and not even lifted shutters of their shops. There is complete lockdown of non essential shops since the orders were issued.