Ganjam: Ganjam district administration on Sunday announced a complete lockdown till June 30 to break the chain of COVID-19 in the district which is witnessing a surge in positive cases following the influx of migrants from other parts of the country.
The district remained worst-affected with detection of highest 682 confirmed cases so far. Besides, the district has reported highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the State. As per official sources, one more COVID-19 patient succumbed in the district today, taking the death toll in the district to six.
As per district administration officials, the lockdown restrictions will come into effect from today and continue till June 30. However, shops selling essential commodities will be allowed to operate from 7 am to 12 noon only, informed Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange.
No person will be allowed to move out of their homes from 12 noon in the district till 7 am. A complete restriction has also been clamped on the movement of buses, cars and autorickshaws as well.
“Following suggestions of public and other stakeholders, we have decided a implement complete lockdown in the district to break the chain of coronavirus, ensure that there is no burden on existing healthcare system and protect the vulnerable groups,” said Kulange.
According to Kulange, all the essential services will be allowed including all government related development activities and movement of trucks engaged in the supply of essential goods.
The district Collector informed that so far over two lakh people have returned to Ganjam from several COVID-19 hotspots including Surat in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other States. The district is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases even though most of them have been reported from temporary medical camps and home quarantine, he added.
“In view of the rising COVID-19 cases, there is a possibility that there might be burden on existing healthcare services even though we have a provision for nearly 3,000 beds. The State government has already announced that the month of June is crucial in the ongoing fight against COVID-19 and we intend to restrict the infections through the lockdown,” Kulange added.
Earlier, Sarpanchs of Sri Ramachandrapur and Narendrapur of Ganjam district declared a five-day shutdown in their respective gram panchayats after detection of four COVID-19 cases in the areas yesterday.
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(Edited by Ramakanta Biswas)