As the novel coronavirus cases continue to surge in Maharashtra, the administration on Tuesday announced a five-day 'Janta Curfew’ in the state’s Jalgaon district beginning March 11.


District Collector Abhijit Raut said the ‘Janta Curfew’ will be imposed from 8 p.m. on March 11 till 8 a.m. on March 15 in the Municipal Corporation limits in Jalgaon.


He, however, added that emergency services, Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and other departments’ exams will be exempted.


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The District Collector further said, “enforcement of this order will be the responsibility of the Municipal Corporation and local police”.


“Violators will be liable for action under the Epidemic Act and other relevant sections of the IPC,” ANI quoted Raut as saying.


Earlier on Monday, Maharashtra recorded 8,744 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours. The state witnessed over 20 more virus-related deaths while another 9,068 patients recovered during the same period.


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In the aftermath of the spike in coronavirus cases, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had earlier this month showed disinterest in imposing another lockdown in the state but warned “helplessness is also something”.


Asserting he is continuously monitoring the situation in Maharashtra, he urged all to follow the guidelines with regard to the coronavirus pandemic properly.