‘Colloportus your doors’: Mumbai Police’s Harry Potter-inspired lockdown message

Maharashtra is the country’s worst-affected state with 748 cases of coronavirus disease. And Mumbai has the highest number of Covid-19 patients in the state.

The Mumbai Police have turned to the popular movie franchise Harry Potter to urge people to stay home during the nationwide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic which has affected thousands in India.

Residents of Khar area in Mumbai organised a fumigation drive during the nationwide lockdown, to contain the coronavirus pandemic, on Monday. (ANI Photo)

“’Colloportus’ your doors, folks! A lot more than just 5 points will be awarded to all those who stay home during #lockdown and don’t create panic,” Mumbai Police said on Twitter on Tuesday. ‘Colloportus’ is a charm used in the Harry Potter movies to seal doors.

Maharashtra is the country’s worst-affected state with 748 cases of Covid-19. Mumbai has the highest number of Covid-19 patients in the state, which saw its first case on March 9, and has reported at least 20 deaths.

State health minister Rajesh Tope had recently said that the lockdown in Maharashtra is likely to be extended beyond April 14.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked people to limit their movement outside their houses. He said people should use a mask if they step out to buy essential commodities.

Thackeray also asked those suffering with symptoms such as pneumonia, cough, cold and fever not to visit private doctor or hospital. Instead, he suggested, they could visit dedicated hospitals started by the state government to treat patients infected with Covid-19.

No religious, political and sports event will be allowed in the state till further orders, he declared.

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), meanwhile, has arranged temporary shelters for 5,000 people, a municipal corporation official was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The shelter is available for migrant workers and homeless people in Goregaon, ANI reported.