Coronavirus: Lockdown In 75 Districts With Positive Covid-19 Cases; Several States Seal Their Borders

Coronavirus: Several states including West Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh also announced total/partial lockdown for coming days, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Patiala: City streets wear a deserted look during Janta curfew in the wake of deadly coronavirus, in Patiala, Sunday, March 22, 2020. PM Modi proposed a 'Janta curfew' between 7 am and 9 pm as part of social distancing to check the spread of the deadly virus. The number of coronavirus cases across the country rose to above 320 on Sunday. (PTI Photo)(PTI22-03-2020_000143B)

New Delhi: States have been asked only to allow essential services in the 75 districts which have reported positive coronavirus cases in the country, the Union government said on Sunday. The state governments have also been given the authority to expand the list depending on their assessment. This decision was taken in a high-level meeting to review the ongoing situation by the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chief Secretaries of all states. During the course of the discussion, it was also felt that to contain the spread of coronavirus there was a need "to extend the restrictions on the movement of non-essential passenger transport including inter-state transport buses till March 3," according to a release. Apart from these, the decision to suspend all train services till March 31, including suburban rail services and metro rail services was also taken. The operations of goods trains, however, will be exempted. Inter-state passenger transport also to be suspended till March 31, according to the release. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 341 individuals in the country have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. As many as 13,049 people have lost their lives across the globe and the deadly virus has affected 3.7 lakh people. Lockdown in several states: Apart from the government’s directive to shutdown the 75 districts with positive Covid-19 cases, several states including Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal have decided to go on a lockdown. While Punjab and Rajasthan will go on total lockdown till March 31, Odisha has put 12 of its cities on lockdown, West Bengal will be on a lockdown till March 27. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath also announced a lockdown of 15 districts in the first phase.