CM Udhav Thackeray Imposed Section 144 From Monday Across The State Into Lockdown Mode Until 31st March

Mumbai: With the coronavirus positive cases increasing day by day, the Maharashtra government has imposed Section 144 across the state on Sunday till March 31. According to the Health Department, the total number of positive Coronavirus cases in the state is now 89. While Mumbai tops the chart of people affected with COVID-19 cases followed by Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune. In India, over 400 people have tested positive and seven died out of which two people were from Maharashtra. Section 144 was also imposed in Delhi, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh. While the state and central governments have asked citizens to stay-at-home.

It’s safest to stay at home and be away from the crowd. While for many, staying can be boring and they tend to venture out, it’s best advised to remain indoors and find interesting activities to keep yourself busy. It’s especially difficult for parents to keep their kids at home while they miss their friends and playdates at the park. The parents can engage in family time and play board games with their kids, introduce strict school routine (to keep their children in the habit as schools are closed) and definitely educate them with the real scenario outside. Reading a book now is the best time as we often complain that we don’t get enough time. For the writers out there who always thought they could write a book, now is the time. There are some book brands that have opened up their subscriptions for free till the end of the month, so that’s a definite bargain offer to look out for.

Working from home is the best thing to do. Keeping safety in mind, most organisations have given work from home to their employees. It is advised to definitely work diligently but also to take a break and walk around the house periodically to avoid aches like back pain, etc. While you might miss your friends and colleagues, technology is your saviour and can see each other virtually. What are video chats for?

While the central and state governments have asked the citizens to stay put at home, people can go out when they absolutely need to. This includes buying essential commodities, availing medical facilities. The government has also stated that essential services – such as grocery stores, medical stores, hospitals and doctors chambers, markets — will remain open. The authorities have also urged citizens not to resort to panic buying and stock up things in bulk.

The most important thing to do these days is to remain informed and refrain from sharing and believing in fake news. Both the central and state governments, and local authorities have been sharing important advisories. The central government has also started helpline numbers and started Whatsapp chat available for all information regarding the COVID-19 virus. WhatsApp users across the country can reach out to the ministry of health on +91 9013151515 for credible information. The central helpline number for Coronavirus is +91-11-23978046. The toll free number is 1075. State governments have also started respective helpline numbers to help the citizens.

Social distancing is the key buzz word these days. While citizens are often using the word, it’s important to follow it as well. It is advised that if people go out for an emergency purpose, they should maintain distance from other people.
Social distancing, also known as physical distancing, is a step to control the spread of any infection. In this case, the main objective of social distancing is to urge people to maintain distance from one another. This will reduce the transmission of the virus and help in combating coronavirus.

The only way to fight the deadly COVID-19 virus is to maintain good hygiene. The experts are stating that people should keep their hands and face clean. They should wash their hands often with soap and water and refrain from touching their face, mouth and nose. They should also use hand sanitisers and keep their hands free of germs. While self-sanitising is important, it is also important to sanitise things like phones, laptops which are used often. Experts are also advising people to be mindful of objects that we touch – like door knobs, lift buttons. Make sure you wash your hands properly after touching these and refrain from touching your mouth, nose, face, eyes before your hands can be cleaned.

It’s a strict no-no to be in any crowded place. Governments have limited public transport by suspending train and bus services at least till March 31. If people are seen breaking rules, they can be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend up to one month or with a fine which may extend to Rs 200, or both.

Yes, people may be missing their daily morning walks and evening strolls. But it’s strictly advised to stay at home and do home-bound exercises. This will not only save your life but the lives of your loved ones and of society. If you have been stamped for home quarantine by the authorities, it would be imperative to follow the protocol strictly and stay home at all times till the quarantine period is over. Penal action can be taken against those who violate home quarantine.

If you feel unwell and find the symptoms similar to that of COVID-19, you definitely should take it seriously. You should inform your doctor about the problems and get yourself tested (if advised by a physician). However, if it is a common cold, you should definitely stay at home and away from others. The best way to deal with the pandemic is to remain calm and not panic. It is important to remember that the health care system is already working round-the-clock to help everyone but panic will put an additional burden on an already over-worked system.

How we respond today, will decide whether India hits the exponential phase like Italy did a few days ago and has now seen 5,476 deaths due to COVID-19, even surpassing the casualties of China. The lockdown is in place for us and our own good. Don’t violate it. You may think you are perfectly healthy but experts have said that in many cases the symptoms manifest themselves after a few days. For your own health and for those of others, particularly the immuno-compromised, stay home.