Pics: Wilson Dsouza Shirva

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD/SP)

Udupi, Jun 2: Beginning from Wednesday June 2, as many as 35 villages across the district will be under total lockdown for five days. Even shops dealing in essentials are not permitted to operate.

Other conditions of the lockdown happen to be that agricultural activities can be undertaken. At the same time, milk dairies can operate for specific hours in the morning and evening.

The 35 villages where the total lockdown has been clamped are those which have more than 50 Covid infection active cases. This is one of the measures undertaken by the district administration meant to bring the positivity rate to less than ten percent by June 7.

Those marriage functions for which advance permission has already been obtained, can be held inside the houses. Petrol bunks located by the side of the state and national highways are permitted to function. Karnataka Milk Federation milk booths are allowed to be kept open. Health sector-related activities including medical shops are permitted to operate.

All other activities will remain frozen for a period of five days. Check posts are being set up at the borders of these villages and police security would be in place at these borders. The police are checking each vehicle before taking a decision on permitting them to move ahead. Nodal officers have been appointed in villages to manage the situation. Gram panchayat members have supported the village lockdowns. Panchayat members have also been serving at a few check posts.

During the said period, no one can leave the villages from tomorrow onwards. The police have been educating the people about the need for these conditions and about the need to follow rules governing total lockdown.

Shirva gram panchayat has also enforced strict lockdown for the next five days.

Police department and officials of health department along with panchayat development officer and members are busy ensuring that no one is roaming outsides without necessity.

Few vehicles which violated the norms were seized by police. The panchayat task force committee also sealed a shop for violating the norms.

The medical shops are operating only in the town.