C'garh Collectors to take lockdown call as per case count

    Raipur, Jul 18 (PTI) Amid a surge in coronavirus
cases, the Chhattisgarh government on Saturday authorised
district collectors to impose lockdown in urban areas in case
it is needed after giving three-day prior notice to people.
    The decision was taken in a meeting of ministers and
officials chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel who also
asked authorities to increase coronavirus testing to contain
the outbreak, a public relations department official said.
    "Depending on the outbreak situation, collectors can
issue prohibitory orders under Epidemic Diseases Act and CrPC
section 144. These orders can be implemented in some wards or
in half of the city or even in the whole town as per impact of
the infection. Collectors need to give three-day prior notice
before implementing prohibitory orders which will be effective
initially for seven days," the official said.
    It must be ensured essential services and commodities
are available to people during the lockdown, collectors have
been told.
    "Government offices in such areas will function with
one-third staff, while factories, manufacturing units will be
allowed to operate with certain conditions. Only commercial
transportation will be allowed in prohibited areas, that too
during night hours," he said.
    Baghel also asked authorities to increase COVID-19
testing and beds, and directed them to intensify recruitment
process for vacant posts of technicians, auxiliary nurse
midwife, lab attendants etc in the health department, he said.
    "Instructions have also been given to the health
department for cent per cent testing in Birgaon municipal
corporation area in the capital after a large number of cases
were detected there," he added.
    At present, 122 urban areas and development blocks in
the state are classified as 'red zones', while 32 development
blocks have been designated 'orange zones' based on the number
of active COVID-19 cases, doubling rates and samples tested
per 1 lakh population.
    Till Friday, Chhattisgarh had recorded 5,003 COVID-19
cases, of which 1,467 are active ones.
    The state has seen over 3,000 COVID-19 cases in the
last one month itself, with all 28 districts now part of the
infection map.
    With 1102 cases so far, Raipur district tops the tally
in the state, followed by Rajanandgaon (436), Bilaspur (367),
Korba (349), Janjgir-Champa (324), Balodabazar (301), Durg
(289), Jashpur (202), Balrampur (164), Raigarh (156), Surguja
(147), Narayanpur (133), Kabirdham (133), Mungeli (135) and
Bemetara (100), he said. PTI TKP
BNM BNM

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)