7-day lockdown in 10 Chhattigarh districts after surge in COVID cases

Starting Monday (September 21), the authorities in Chhattisgarh have declared a complete lockdown in 10 districts of the state following a surge in COVID-19 cases. The cases registered a sharp spike of over 20,000 in the past week. The state capital has been declared a containment zone till September 28.

The number of cases in the state rose from around 63,000 on Sept 13 to over 86,000 on Sept 20.

Apart from Raipur, nine other districts including Jashpur, Baloda Bazaar, Janjgir-Champa, Durg, Bhilai, Dhamtari, Bilaspur, Bilaspur, will remain under lockdown till September 28, as per a government order.

Raipur, which is among the worst-affected districts, has recorded a high number of infections.

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“Raipur has so far reported over 26,000 COVID-19 cases and over 900 cases are being recorded daily. To break the chain of transmission, it has become necessary to declare the entire district a containment zone. Inter-district borders in Raipur will remain sealed during this duration,” said an order issued by Raipur Collector S Bharathi Dasan.

All central, state and semi-government as well as private offices will remain shut, though government employees engaged in prevention and control of COVID-19 will continue to work as earlier, it said. No public meeting or rally will be allowed, the order said.

“All shops and commercial establishments, including grocery shops, will be closed. Medical shops will be allowed to remain open while home deliveries of medicines will be given a priority. Milk shops will be open from 6 am to 8 am and then 5 pm to 6:30 pm,” an official said.

Petrol pumps will provide fuel only to government vehicles, private vehicles engaged in medical emergency and ambulances.

LPG cylinder distributors are allowed to take orders only via telephone and provide home delivery.

Essential services, such as health, electricity and water supply, sanitation works and emergency services are kept out of the restrictions, and those needing to move out of the district will need an e-pass, an official said.

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On Sunday, Chhattisgarh reported 1,949 new cases and 13 deaths, taking the statewide count to 86,183 and total number of deaths to 677.

The state now has 37,853 active cases.