Lucknow: Nearly 40,000 persons have been booked in Uttar Pradesh for violating coronavirus lockdown. Over 12,000 FIRs have been registered against these individuals, the state government said on Thursday.


"12,236 FIRs have been registered against 39,857 people under Section 188 of IPC for violating coronavirus lockdown. 78 cases have been registered in connection with the circulation of fake news related to COVID-19," Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Avnish Awasthi said.


Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday ordered to seal the coronavirus hotspots in 15 districts of the state, as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The announcement, however, ended up triggering panic buying as people were seen rushing in the markets as they feared they will not be allowed to step out to buy essentials. To ease the panic, officials have been assuring people that all necessary provisions like milk and vegetables will be delivered at the doorsteps to people who live in sealed areas across the 15 districts.


COVID-19 cases have risen to 410 in Uttar Pradesh out of which 221 patients are linked to Tablighi Jamaat. Four people have died while 31 others were cured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a nationwide 21-day lockdown beginning March 25 to flatten the curve of coronavirus cases.
Total cases of coronavirus in India have risen to 5,865, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday. There are 5,218 active Covid-19 cases and 477 people have recovered.

The death toll has also risen to 169 after 20 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

(With Agency Input)

Watch: Delhi-Noida's Coronavirus hotspots sealed: Get all your answers here | Namaste Bharat (09.04.2020)