As a part of the efforts to contain the fast-spreading COVID-19, the government has decided to lockdown 75 districts that have been affected by coronavirus. The Cabinet Secretary, on Sunday, reviewed the situation with the chief secretaries of all the states, after which the decision was taken. The government has also decided to stop all train services till March 31.
As per the latest orders, all train services will remain suspended till March 31 with the exception of goods trains. Inter-state passenger transport, including buses, will also remain suspended till March 31.
Metro and interstate bus services will be stopped to break the march of coronavirus, which infected close to 350 people and killed six persons in India. The railways, which had cancelled more than 1000 trains, said it will shut passenger train services till March 31. Interstate buses and metro services would follow the same schedule. Several states, including Punjab and Rajasthan, have announced a complete lockdown that involves shutting down public transport, malls and shops. Only essential services will operate in 75 districts which saw confirmed cases of COVID-19, the government has said.
Large gatherings were banned in Delhi today as part of the countrywide lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. Citing the possibility of community transmission, the police said action would be taken against anyone found violating the prohibitory order. The penalty in such cases is a month’s jail term or a fine, or both.