Govt tightens nationwide lockdown

COVID-19 All domestic flights suspended from midnight as more states restrict movement, infections rise to 433

NEW DELHI: Government on Monday ordered suspension of all domestic flights for an indefinite period beginning midnight March 25 in a bid to move towards a complete lockdown prompted by the fast-spreading, deadly Covid-19 pandemic that has killed at least seven and infected 433 people in India. This comes a day after the Centre suspended trains, interstate buses and Metro rail services till March 31, and declared a complete lockdown in 82 districts across 25 states and union territories.

“Airlines have to plan operations so as to land at their destinat i on bef ore 2 3 5 9 hours on 24/3/2020,” the civil aviation ministry announced adding that cargo flights will continue to ply.

On Monday, as many as eight more states and Union territories, including Haryana, Gujarat, Assam and Manipur, announced a complete lockdown, taking the total number to 19. Some states which had announced a partial lockdown on Sunday upgraded their response, ordering complete lockdowns, curfews, and increasing the curbs on residents.

A complete lockdown refers to all the state’s districts being under a lockdown, whereas a partial lockdown means that only a certain number of districts have been put under restrictions. While these curbs vary, most lockdowns permit public transportation, albeit reduced, and allow shops like chemists, petrol pumps, and ATMS to be open. Some states permit private vehicular movement.

Punjab and Maharashtra, which have recorded 21 and 64 cases of Covid-19 respectively, announced a curfew in their states starting Monday. Two persons have died in Maharashtra, while one person has died of the disease in Punjab.

After reviewing the situation with the chief secretary and state police chief, Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced the imposition of curfew on Monday from 2pm, an official spokesperson said. Deputy commissioners of all districts have been asked to issue orders accordingly. Relaxation of curfew will be allowed for specified periods and purposes, the spokesperson added.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday