Ahmedabad, March 24 Shocked by the positive cases in the state piling up within just four to five days to a total of 30, the Gujarat government has decided to go for stringent lockdown-like measures in the entire state from Tuesday till March 31.
The Directorate General of Police (DGP) Gujarat, Shivanand Jha said: "To curb the possible spread of the virus among people, we are going for a lockdown in the entire state. Even in this locked down areas, essential commodities will be allowed to be available for the public."
Late on Monday, the state home department issued a notification under the provisions of 'The Indian Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897' and 'The Gujarat Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 Regulation 2020'.
"We have closed down all the state's borders for transportation. Till now private vehicles were functional but from midnight till the March 31st, that will be restricted," added Jha.
Under the regulations, the partial lockdown has been imposed allowing only essential services in the entire state of Gujarat.
As per the notification, only services like all government and Municipal Corporation, municipality, Panchayat offices will be opened. The government has also allowed provisional stores selling commodities like milk, fruits and vegetables, medical stores, hospitals and dispensaries, pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers, research and development centres and other healthcare services.
Services like the electricity, insurance companies, IT related services like ISP, cell phone companies, railways and transportation services, media and newspaper services, fuel pumps, water supply and sewerage, banks, ATM, clearing houses of banks, stock exchanges, Post and Courier services, private security services.
All essential commodities like warehouses of all edible goods and products, medicines, pest control and essential goods manufacturing, transportation and civil supplies, and E-Commerce related to it.
All the other services and businesses and other activities have been banned till March 31st. The violators of these regulations will be legally prosecuted against under the provisions of the 'The Indian Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897', 'The Gujarat Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 Regulation 2020' and IPC clause 188.
Gujarat saw it's first two Corona virus positive cases on Thursday, five more on Friday, six more on Saturday and the total count by Monday evening turned out to be 30. A seriously alarmed Gujarat government, has now decided to take stringent measures and go for a lockdown in the entire state.
"The police department has already imposed CrPC section 144 in most of the cities of the state, banning the gathering of four or more people at one place. We have asked for four Reserved Armed Forces (RAF) companies from the central government for maintaining the law and order situation in the state," added Jha.
The government has also closed down swimming pools, recreational clubs, water parks, marriage halls in the state. The government had earlier decided to close down all the educational institutions in the state.
"Strict action will be taken against those who violates the law and order situation. We are ensuring that essential commodities and goods will be available and transportation of these goods will be allowed. But we request the people to co-operate the administration to curb the virus outbreak," said Sangeeta Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), home department, Gujarat.
( With inputs from IANS )