As Covid-19 cases rise in Maharashtra, ‘Janta Curfew’ announced in Jalgaon

Emergency services and exams are exempted from the curfew, Jalgaon district collector Abhijit Raut said, also warning of action under the Epidemic Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in case of violation.

With cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on the rise in Maharashtra, the District Collector of Jalgaon on Tuesday announced a ‘Janta curfew’ here from 8pm on March 11 to 8am on March 15, news agency ANI reported.

Representative Image (HT Photo)

“’Janta Curfew to be imposed from 11th March, 8pm till 15th March, 8am in the Municipal Corporation limits in Jalgaon. Emergency services, MPSC (Maharashtra Public Service Commission) and other departments’ exams exempted,” Abhijit Raut, the Jalgaon district collector, said, according to ANI.

“Enforcement of this order will be the responsibility of Municipal Corporation and local police. Violators will be liable for action under the Epidemic Act and other relevant sections of IPC (Indian Penal Code),” the official further said.

In the last two days, Jalgaon has recorded total 910 cases of Covid-19. While 486 infections were reported on March 7, there were 424 cases on March 8.

Over the last few days, Maharashtra has been witnessing a surge in its daily cases of the viral disease. 9,927 new infections and 56 related deaths were recorded on Tuesday, taking the infection tally to 2,238,398-the highest in the country-and death toll to 52,556. On March 8, there were 8,744 cases and 22 deaths. Day before that, 11,141 cases and 38 fatalities were detected. The state's capital city of Mumbai, too, is in the middle of a fresh wave of the coronavirus. 1,012 new infections and two deaths were detected in the metropolis on Tuesday, taking the respective tallies to 335,395 and 11,508.

Overall, as of Tuesday, Maharashtra had 2,089,294 recoveries from the disease and conducted 17,022,315 tests, as per the state health department.

The Maharashtra government has ruled out a fresh lockdown for now, though it has warned of one if people don’t wear masks and follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. However, restrictions have been announced locally for various districts in the state.