Lockdown decision taken to save lives: Raj minister
Jodhpur businessman who travelled to Turkey tests positive, taking total corona cases to 26 in Rajasthan; petrol, diesel prices up as govt hikes VAT by 4%
JAIPUR: As the lockdown kicked in across Rajasthan on Saturday, health minister Raghu Sharma said the coronavirus crisis has entered a dangerous phase and the government took a hard decision to save people’s lives.
The state government on Saturday night decided to impose the lockdown from March 22 to March 31 after fears of community spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, a Jodhpur businessman who travelled to Turkey tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, taking the total number of cases to 26.
Streets were deserted and all establishments shut as a total ;janata curfew’ was observed in the state.
In a late night decision, the government hiked VAT on petrol and diesel by 4% each.
The VAT o n p e t r o l was increase from 30%to 34%while that on diesel was hiked from 22% to 26%. Petrol prices increase by ₹2.80 to touch ₹75.57 per litre while diesel went up by ₹2.50 to ₹69.26 per litre.
Sharma said the decision for a lockdown was to ensure people’s safety and save lives. “We have entered the third phase of the disease which is highly infectious and dangerous and so we have been forced to take a hard decision,” he said and appealed for cooperation.
“During the period, no buses will ply, no organisations will remain open, all government offices will stay shut, only essential items stores for medicines, daily provisions and milk booths will be open,” he said.
“There are over 300 suspected coronavirus cases in Rajasthan of which 25 are positive cases we have cured three and 22 positive cases are admitted in hospitals in different places,” he said.
Sharma said over 3 lakh people have been affected with coronavirus in the world and over 13,000 people have died. He said the way the disease is spreading, it is a matter of grave concern.
“That’s why we appeal to the people to cooperate with the decisions taken by the government. You are being inconvenienced but the government is trying to save people’s lives and so this decision has been taken... so stand by the government decision, maintain self-discipline, stay indoors, maintain hygiene and cleanliness, wash your hands with soap, maintain 1 metre distance and suspected cases should stay in isolation.”
A 36-year-old businessman who returned from Turkey last week, tested positive for coronavirus. The businessman and his family members, went to Turkey on March 7 and returned Jodhpur last week.
He was admitted to MDM Hospital on Saturday after symptoms of fever, and his sample was taken and tested positive.
On Sunday, samples of the man’s relatives have been taken and their reports are awaited. Police have been deployed outside his house as a precautionary measure.
Referring to the curfew in Bhilwara and Jhunjhunu, minister Sharma said it had to be imposed because of the threat of community spread of the disease.
In Jhunjhunu, a couple and their daughter who returned from Italy, had stayed home and met many people before symptoms manifested and they were isolated.
In Bhilwara, 11 cases were reported between Friday and Saturday after a doctor who is suspected to have been infected by an acquaintance who returned from Saudi Arabia, continued to work in hospital before he fell ill and was isolated.
Sharma said during the lockdown, the government will give BPL families, state BPL families and those living in slums 5 kg ration free. He said the government has issued orders for disbursal of two months pension to 78 lakh pensioners in the state. Food packets will be given to daily wagers and street vendors.
Sharma appealed to private enterprises to give leave to labourers. “Our teams of doctors, health department officials and nursing staff are all ready to fight coronavirus. The way people are cooperating, we will defeat coronavirus,” he said.
Sharma said the government has also decided that those private hospitals which have more than 100 beds, will have to keep 25 beds for coronavirus patients.
He said he had got reports of disorder at Rajasthan University of Health Sciences where some persons had been brought from the airport for isolation. He said he has spoken to officials and asked them to monitor the situation and ensure that the people are given food on time, they are regularly checked by doctors and cleanliness is maintained.
After the WHO and UN announced coronavirus an epidemic, chief minister Ashok Gehlot announced complete lockdown of the state (under the Rajasthan Epidemic Diseases Act, 1952). During the lockdown barring essential services, all government and private offices will remain closed.
Essential services (departments) to be operational during lockdown
Medical and health
Medical education
Ayurved
Home (police, jail, home guard, FSL) Finance
Department of personnel and district administration
Electricity (power)
Water (PHED)
Local self-governance (municipal corporation, council, municipality) Food and Civil Supply
Disaster Management and Relief Panchayati Raj
Information and public relations Information technology
Transport
General administration
State motor garage
Law
Services exempted from lockdown and will be operational
Media/press Information Technology All types of health institutes (including medical stores) Manufacturers of medicine and surgical items Petro pumps
LPG gas agencies
Milk dairy
Shops of public distribution system
Grocery and provisional stores
Medical stores and surgical equipment Fruits and vegetables shops
Bank
ATM
Post office
Movement of roadways, city transport, and private buses, taxis and auto-rickshaw is prohibited. Only limited sanctioned public transport will be available in districts for commuting from airport or railway stations to home and hospital.