New Measures Announced to Control COVID-19 Spread in the District

Due to the increasing rate of coronavirus spread, the Pune District administration has publicized new restrictions on night-time movement, large gatherings, and restaurants and bars’ operations.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar chaired a Covid-19 review meeting on Sunday morning, where the district health and administrative machinery partook. Considerable Members of Parliament (MP) and Legislative Assembly (MLAs) also participated in the meeting.

After the meeting, Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao held a press conference to make public the meeting’s decisions.

He announced, “In Maharashtra, the positivity rate is going up. In Pune District, it has gone up to 10 per cent. Fifteen days ago, the positivity rate was only about 4.5 to 5 per cent. It has grown fast. Because last year, we had seen a similar trend where the positivity rate had grown from 2 to 4 per cent to 10 per cent in the first few months and then for in next three months the rate had become very high. To avoid this, we are taking some preventive measures.”

The measures announced are as follows:

• Schools, colleges to remain shut until February 28. The Decision will be reviewed next Friday.Hotels, restaurants, bars would have to shut at 11 pm (instead of 1.30 am as per prevailing guidelines).
• ‘Limited Curfew’ to be imposed between 11 pm to 6 am from Monday (February 22). People can step out of their homes only for essential work. Vegetable vendors, newspaper vendors and others involved in morning activities excluded.
• Private coaching classes would remain shut. Those providing coaching for civil services (MPSC/UPSC) would be approved to operate at 50 percent capacity.
• Micro-containment zones would be recognized in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and rural areas.
• No curb on inter-district transport. But travellers and transport agencies would have to follow COVID guidelines.
• Prior permission from the police mandatory for marriage functions.
• Single window system to be set up at police headquarters/stations to avoid trouble for citizens. More than 200 persons won’t be allowed.
• Similar curbs on political, religious or any other gathering as well.