Image Courtesy:ndtv.com
Responding to the continuing surge in the number of positive coronavirus cases that now stand at 1,19,07,489, India has opened vaccination for all those over 45 years of age. This, it is hoped, will widen the immunisation net and slow the spread and severity down. Five states: Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat have reported a surge in daily new cases, and 59,118 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, with the total death toll at 1,62,657.
The Maharashtra government has announced that night curfew will be imposed in the state from Sunday March 28, markets etc will be shut from 8 pm to 7 am. According to news reports Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ordered the curfew after a meeting with the divisional commissioners, superintendents of police, district collectors and other officials to review the Covid-19 situation in the state. It was reported that Thackeray told the officials that he did not wish to impose a lockdown in the state but saw a “possibility of healthcare facilities falling short given the rise in the number of coronavirus patients.” The CM has reportedly “warned that the restrictions could get stricter if the people do not follow coronavirus guidelines”. Maharashtra reported 36,902 new cases on Friday.
Holi has already begun in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura
The festive season starting with Holi this weekend has also come under stricter guidelines imposed by many states which have banned public celebrations. However, according to a report in the DNA, in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura, the festival of colors has already commenced. Hundreds of devotees thronged Banke Bihari’s temple in Barsana to celebrate Holi. According to the news report, Covid-19 “protocols were flouted in temple premises. Devotees express their happiness after celebrating Holi with ‘Banke Bihari.’” The report added Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya also attended the Holi celebration. Uttarakhand will also see a massive surge of visitors soon as it is the venue for Kumbh Mela.
So far, the official government charts, shared by PIB, show the surge in the following states:
India’s total “Active Caseload continues to rise” and now stands at 4.21 lakh (4,21,066). However the cumulative recoveries are at 1,12,64,637 making the national Recovery Rate is 95.09%, with 32,987 recoveries in the last 24 hours. However 257 deaths were also reported in the last 24 hours. Ten states show a steady upward trajectory in daily new cases.
With restrictions came traffic jams on Karnataka’s borders
Kerala border saw a traffic pile-up as Karnataka demanded a negative Covid-19 test report, reported The News Minute. According to the report, Karnataka did not allow road travellers from Kerala to enter the state without a negative Covid-19 test certificate. Many travellers, who were going from Thalassery in Kerala to Mysuru, were reportedly stopped at the Bavali border check post in Karnataka’s Mysuru district. According to a TNM report, on March 22, the Karnataka government had issued an order that makes it mandatory for travellers from Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab and Chandigarh to carry a negative Covid-19 test certificate if they are entering Karnataka. This order covers travel by air, rail and by personal transport on road. However, as reported by TNM, these restrictions do not seem to apply in a uniform manner at various border checkposts of Karnataka.
Goa, Jharkhand issue guidelines for Holi, Easter, Eid and Shab-e-Barat
Joining the other states which have banned public celebrations, Goa’s Health secretary Gautami Parmekar also issued an order on Friday listing out restrictions “imposed in the celebration of festivals like Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Easter and Eid-ul-Fitr with regard to SOP issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.” According to the order reported, state authorities will ensure that mass celebrations, congregations during these upcoming festivals are not allowed in public places, grounds, markets etc.
The Jharkhand government has also banned public celebrations, stated a letter, from the Chief Secretary of the state Sukhdev Singh, “All celebrations and congregations at public places during festivals like Holi, Sarhul, Shab-e-Barat, Navratri, Ramnavami, Easter, etc shall not be allowed in the state. People may celebrate Holi with family members in their respective houses only.” The state has also banned all kinds of processions, including those on Sahul and Ramnavmi across the state.
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