The Puducherry government has announced a total lockdown in Puducherry on Tuesdays as one of the measures to counter the spike in Covid-19 cases in the union territory. Puducherry would be on total lockdown from 6 a.m. on Tuesday to 6 a.m. on Wednesday every week till August 31
Additionally, shops, establishments and offices will now close at 7 p.m instead of 9 pm everyday. Public movement is restricted from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m, according to the announcement made by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy after a meeting of the Puducherry State Disaster Management Authority this week.
What is total lockdown on Tuesdays?
According to the government order issued by the district collector:
- All shops, establishments, restaurants, banks, industries, places of worship, government and private offices will remain closed on Tuesdays.
- No movement of bus, taxi, auto etc except for emergencies or those permitted
- Pharmacies and milk booths can remain open
- Government offices involved in essential/ field services can work with minimal staff
- Industrial units that require continuous processing are allowed to function with approval of Directorate of Industries & Commerce (updated)
Find latest and daily updates on Covid-19 cases here
Why Tuesdays ?
A similar weekly lockdown is already in place in Tamil Nadu on Sundays. Puducherry has decided to impose a weekly lockdown of 24 hours on Tuesdays owing to social functions and weddings already scheduled on Sundays, according to the Chief Minister.
However, in a press briefing on Friday, he announced that the government will reassess the Tuesday lockdown based on co-operation of people.
Meanwhile the government is planning to amp up testing in Puducherry. So far, over 50,000 samples have been tested. Around 1000 samples are being tested everyday. Over 10,000 antigen kits in addition to RT-PCR test kits are also being procured.
Find out more about testing procedures , costs, protocol on the upcoming story on Pondylive.com
Featured Image: Joy Srivastava
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