A set of guidelines has been issued by the Uttar Pradesh government for the districts under lock-down. These injunctions are to be followed ‘strictly’ and any violations will attract legal action.
The directives prohibit the gathering of more than five persons at a place at any given time. In addition to conditions of quarantine that apply to those who have a history of foreign travel, the state has also mandated that all those who have entered its boundaries from other states shall be required to be under self-quarantine for two weeks and tested if need be. Gram pradhans, Anganwadi and ASHA workers have been assigned this task.
All districts and rural areas have to be continuously cleaned and piling of garbage should not be permitted.
After reports of the state police using lathis on those who had stepped out during the Janta Curfew on Sunday emerged, the police hav been instructed to not stop movement of all those who have been designated as part of the essential services to be provided during the lock-down. This includes vegetable vendors, milk suppliers, postal services, power sector workers and the like. Paramedical staff and nurses in the service of the elderly and the sick shall also not be stopped from commuting.
The directives also say that people should face no difficulty in procuring perishable food items. For this, push carts with milk and vegetables should be stationed near all localities so that people do not have to travel far from their homes to get the same.
Loudspeaker announcements have to be made periodically to tell people to stay indoors and of the precautions to be followed.
The supply of medicines and essential goods shall be continuously monitored and hoarders or profiteers shall face strict action. Any complaints about the same can be made to the Food Commissioner or the Principal Secretary, Food Grains and Supplies.
The Public Distribution System shall be constantly monitored by nodal officers and at all fair price shops soaps and sanitisers will be made available.
In addition, walks and congregations in public parks shall be completely stopped.
Each district will also have a 24x7 control room from which information shall also be relayed to the capital.
Fifteen districts in UP, including capital Lucknow from which positive COVID19 cases were detected, have been put on a lock-down till March 25.
