What Happens During A Lockdown?

NEW DELHI: As the nation is facing the wrath of the highly-contagious and life-threatening COVID-19, many authorities from the centre and the state are working continuously to try to stabilise and control the spread of the virus. As per the recent data gathered by the government, coronavirus has affected over 400 individuals and has also led to 8 deaths.

The ICMR or the Indian Centre of Medical Research has reported that the virus outburst in India is still in phase 2 in terms of transmission, meaning there has been no evidence of local transmission. As there is a significant spike in the suspected cases, a decision was made by the centre and state government to lock down all the 75 districts where the virus was was found and people got infected. This measure is being taken to stop the virus from being spread further. The Health Ministery has also mentioned that the following states need to allot hospitals to treat novel coronavirus exclusively.

Also Read: Situation Tightens As COVID-19 Cases Hit Close To 400 In India

Let us try to understand what does Lockdown mean. Lockdown is an emergency protocol put into action by the authorities that prevents people from leaving a given geographical area. India has put in place partial lockdown which has 3 aspects.

• First, major curbs on passenger travel. Train services, including suburban lines, have been suspended till 31st March. So, Metro services and interstate buses remain suspended too.
• Second, states have been asked to allow only essential services, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata fall in this list. 
• Third, states are issuing their own lockdown orders through the local administration. 

Does this mean everything is shut?

No. 
Emergency services and establishments like grocery stores, ATMs or pharmacy are exempt from this lockdown. The respective state govenrments have been allowed to add to the emergency services like fair priced shops, electricity, water, municipal services, print and electronic media, groceries, LPG cylinder agencies, and so on.

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As per WHO, lockdowns are not sufficient enough to fight the menace of COVID-19. It is important to remember that lockdowns are part of the solution. Hence, social distancing must be aggressively practised and lockdown related protocols should be followed in later and spirit.