The Mumbai Police have appealed to the local citizens to stay home and help them fight the virus. The Police have also issued a notice that no one is allowed to go beyond the 2 km radius from their home. If caught breaking the latest diktat, citizens will be charged with legal action and a hefty fine. Mumbai has registered 75,539 cases till June 29, 2020. 43,154 people have recovered and 28,006 are still undergoing treatment under the supervision of doctors.
With the number of cases increasing by the day, Mumbai City Police have come up with new ways to prevent people from venturing and loitering in different parts of the city. The guidelines have become stricter as well. Local sleuths have been tasked to take action if citizens venture beyond the 2 km radius from their homes without a valid reason. Only essential services and persons with proper permits will be allowed to travel.
Interacting with the press, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pranay Ashok stated: “As soon as the lockdown eased, locals began getting out of their houses and started crowding public areas. There has also been a surge in of vehicles on the roads. We have ordered our personnel to levy a fine on people who are outside without any reason.”
The Mumbai City Police have imposed nakabandis in most areas in Mumbai. In the last two days, the Police have seized more than 4864 vehicles. The past few months have, in some way, helped prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but there is still much to be done, and each citizen has the moral responsibility to strictly follow the rules and guidelines laid down by the State Government.
With 150 more positive cases detected in the Maharashtra Police Force in the past two days, the total number now stands at 4,666. The death toll due to this deadly virus is 57; the latest being a police officer.
It is also important to note that nearly 3,400 police personnel have been cured and discharged, and another 900-odd more security personnel are undergoing treatment for the pathogen.
During a visit to Solapur district, the Maharashtra Home Minister – Anil Deshmukh – announced on Saturday that bravery awards will be given to policemen working on the frontline. Deshmukh also said that families of police personnel who have died battling the deadly pathogen will get Rs 65 Lakh assistance. They will also be allowed to stay in the official quarters until the deceased’s date of retirement.
The Minister also said that there are dedicated COVID Care hospitals in each district for police personnel.
The State Health Minister – Rajesh Tope said that the Government will also conduct antigen tests to help find out if a person has contracted COVID-19. It will only take an hour for the test to be declared. Priority for these rapid antibody tests will be given to frontline COVID-19 workers.
“The Maharashtra Police have done a good job working on the frontline. They will be given bravery awards for their work,” Deshmukh, who was accompanied by State Health Minister Rajesh Tope, said.
Message from Mumbai Police
An Appeal to all Mumbaikars
While many activities have been permitted under the ‘Mission Begin Again’ guidelines issued by the State Government making the movement of people easier, the threat of COVID-19 persists in the city.
We all must follow the norms of personal safety and social distancing.
However, many people in the city have been found violating these norms, thereby endangering their health as well as that of others in their vicinity.
Mumbai Police appeals to all citizens to strictly adhere to the lockdown guidelines as issued by the State Government and ensure the following while moving out:
- All movement outdoors should be restricted for essential activities only.
- While moving outdoors, wearing of face mask is compulsory.
- Visit markets, salons, barbershops, etc., shall be restricted to those within a radius of 2 km from the residence. Movement outside this radius for shopping, etc., is strictly prohibited.
- Similarly, outdoor movement for exercise is strictly restricted to open spaces within a radius of 2km from the place of residence.
- Movement beyond 2 km is permitted only for attending office or medical emergencies.
- Social distancing norms are to be followed compulsorily at all times.
- Strict action will be taken against all persons who violate the above norms.
- Shops/markets not following social distancing norms will be closed down.
- No movement of persons except for essential activities is allowed during night curfew between 2100 hours to 0500 hours. Any violation of the night curfew shall be strictly penalised.
- All vehicles found plying away from their local area without a valid reason will be compulsorily impounded.
It is our sincere appeal that all citizens behave responsibly and avoid unnecessary movement. The onus of defeating COVID-19 lies on all of us and we can achieve this only when we follow the personal safety and social distancing guidelines at all times.
Our Correspondent
