Janata Curfew: Life comes to standstill in DK, Udupi

Janata Curfew: Life comes to standstill in DK, Udupi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 22, 2020: Life has come to a complete standstill across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on March 22, Sunday as per the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to observe a Janata Curfew to control the spread of Coronavirus as the total number of Covid-19 positive cases see a rise.

In Mangaluru all roads are wearing a deserted look with  almost all shops and business establishments downing the shutters. Vehicles are also off the roads except a few two-wheelers. Churches have cancelled Sunday mass and several shrines are shut. Even railway stations are wearing a deserted look.

 

Except the civic workers of Antony Waste Handling Pvt Ltd, which handles waste collection in city and police personnel on duty, people could hardly be seen on the streets in Mangaluru.

The usual bustle in the Central Market and the fish market at State Bank area was absent. The national highway and other arterial roads looked almost empty as people stayed home to support the curfew. Private buses operating in the district and a majority of autorickshwas remained off the road. All trains starting from Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction Railway Station stood cancelled.

Though no positive cases were reported in the district, the  district administration is leaving no stone unturned to prevent the spread of the disease. As a precautionary measure, the district administration has closed 16 out of 17 roads that connect Dakshina Kannada with Kasaragod district of Kerala, where 12 Covid-19 positive cases were reported. However, in Dakshina Kannada, all 89 samples tested for Covid-19 have come out negative.

District in-charge minister Kota Shrinivas Poojari appealed to the people to strictly follow the guidelines and cooperate with the district administration to prevent the spread of the disease. “The 16 roads on the Karnataka-Kerala border in Dakshina Kannada will be closed till midnight on March 31. However, vehicles will be allowed in case of emergencies, under the Essential Commodities Act, to transport essential commodities mentioned in the act. Meanwhile, passengers in all coaches of trains that arrive in railway stations in the city will be thoroughly screened. Ships will not be allowed to dock at the Old Port in the city till midnight on March 31,” Kota said.

Cities across country observing the curfew proposed by PM Modi as a means to battle the spread of Covid-19. The self-imposed curfew to be observed till 9pm today, amid rising cases of Coronavirus in the country. As per ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), 315 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in India.