After Kerala, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have also announced a complete state-wide lockdown due to increase in COVID-19 cases. In Rajasthan a 15-day lockdown is announced which will be effective from May 10 and go on till May 24. Madhya Pradesh too will be going under a complete lockdown called ‘Janta Curfew’ till May-15.

Also read: 9-day statewide lockdown in Kerala from May 8-16; Here’s what will remain open and what will stay closed

Background

The news of one state after the other comes during the nation is seeing an unprecedented crisis due to the second wave of the COVID-19 cases. While Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka are under complete lockdown, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Puducherry are under partial lockdown state. While the entire country is not under a lockdown like the first wave of the pandemic in 2021, it seems more and more states are heeding to the Prime Minister’s advice of creating containment zones and enforcing lockdown-like measures instead of urging for a nation-wide lockdown.

Also read: PM Modi’s address: Lockdown should be last resort, states should focus on micro containment zones

Details

As the COVID-19 new cases broke the 4-lakh plus mark on March 6, the Rajasthan govt called for a strict 2-week statewide lockdown starting May 10. On May 6, the state recorded 17,532 new cases and registered 161 more deaths. This brings the state’s tally to 7,02,568 total COVID-19 cases and 5,182 total deceased cases. In a bid to cut the transmission’s chain, the Rajasthan authorities have imposed a complete lockdown for the next 2 weeks.

Rajasthan Lockdown: What’s open, what’s closed and other key facts

1. Like most states, Rajasthan has allowed shops with essential products and services to continue operating.

2. All MGNREGA work to be halted during the 2-week lockdown.

3. Intrastate movement banned. Meaning, no movement from one city/village to another city/village within Rajasthan to be allowed till May 24.

4. Complete ban on all private and public vehicles. Emergency vehicles will be allowed.

5. Religious places, theatres, parks, gymnasiums, halls and other places of gathering completely closed.

6. All private and commercial establishments to remain completely closed.

7. All marriage functions banned till May 31. If an advance payment has been made to marriage gardens, caterers, etc. will be refunded or adjusted. Court marriages will be allowed and marriages at home will also be permitted with only 11 members present.

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Madhya Pradesh Lockdown: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan says weddings are super spreaders

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on May 6 said, “I request you to halt all activities till May 15. Strict adherence to Janata curfew is a must. I want normal life to resume in the coming days which is why we must take stringent action for some days.”

The CM also said that the Madhya Pradesh government can’t afford to shut the complete state for too long but after reviewing the situation and identifying that the state’s positivity rate is above 18%, the decision was taken.

CM Chouhan also asked for the public’s support and acknowledged the efforts made by all the stakeholders to fight the pandemic. “I want your support,” he said. “Everyone knows that our country, state and the whole world is fighting a battle against corona. I am indebted to the people, elected representatives, volunteers and civil society outfits who have extended absolute support to the government,” he added.

The Madhya Pradesh CM also said how the weddings are one of the biggest super spreader events during COVID-19 and asked the public representatives to urge citizens of the state to not hold weddings in May.

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