No strict lockout as of now in rural areas: collector

Nagpur:- Although social media is abuzz with talk of a stringent lockdown like Pune and Aurangabad due to the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases, collector Ravindra Thakare ruled out the possibility in the rural areas of the district on Monday.Stressing that any such move will adversely affect farmers, he said no emergency exists for forcing another lockdown now at a time when sowing season has just started.

Tukaram Mundhe, commissioner of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), also explained that he had not yet announced any lockdown. “However, in addition to ordinary citizens, those who manage establishments, shops and markets need to strictly follow guidelines such as keeping Covid distancing and wearing masks outside the home. Otherwise, stricter curfew lockout is inevitable, “he told.

The collector said if the lockout was enforced, explaining his stance, it would not be for only four or five days but at least one week or more. “As the sowing season has just begun, farmers need to look after the crops. To save crops from insects, they need to spray fertilizers and drugs, and they need to purchase material from markets. If shops are shut down at this point, their work would be severely hampered and affecting the entire farming community, “he told.

Adding that the hard work of farmers would go in vain if lockdown were imposed, Thakare said his team had decided to strictly enforce the rules to contain Covid-19 virus in rural areas. “We have ordered the Block Development Officers (BDO) and other law enforcement agencies such as the police to place a Rs500 fine on anyone who roams without masks. Those who fail to maintain social distance and other contagion-related etiquette, as the government has occasionally declared, would also be punished, “he said.

Alert he wouldn’t hesitate to impose a lockout if the situation worsened and a sudden spike occurred in Covid ‘s positive cases, Thakare said the number of cases in rural areas was limited at present. “The situation has not warranted a lockdown as of now. The farmers, who shouldn’t face problems, remain our priority.

Their entire economy is dependent on the season underway. Their families often suffer if they keep shops and other businesses closed. Afterwards, the entire rural economy would be affected, as the majority of citizens rely on village farming, “he said.

After more stringent lockdowns in cities such as Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Aurangabad and Solapur were placed due to jumping in coronavirus cases , social media was full of speculations that Nagpur district would also follow the trend, particularly with Munde at the helm. Nevertheless, both collector and NMC leader have clarified that they have no plans like this as of now, bringing relief to aggrieved people hit hard by previous lockdowns.