NASHIK: Restrictions were relaxed in the district from Tuesday (June 1) due to declining number of Corona patients. But Nashik citizens, who have been exercising self-restraint for a month and a half period, made a huge rush on the streets, market places on the first day of the Unlock on Tuesday. Seeing this, District Collector Suraj Mandhare took the role of ‘wait and watch’ till Friday stating that if the positivity rate goes beyond 10%, then the administration will have to rethink.
The state government divided the districts into three zones according to the number of Covid-19 patients. Strict lockdown continues in those districts where Covid positivity rate is more than 20 per cent. Where the positivity rate is between 10 to 20 per cent, there are restrictions imposed by the state government. The third zone was unlocked by relaxing the lockdown where the positive rate was below 10 per cent.
Restrictions were relaxed from Tuesday as the rate in Nashik district is within 10%. The opening hours of shops were extended from 7 am to 2 pm. Non-essential but single shops were allowed. The curfew was imposed from 3 pm to 6 am. However, on the first day of the unlock, Nashik residents flouted all the rules of Corona safety and made a big rush in the markets and on the streets.
The picture was similar in the suburbs. It is feared that if this situation persists, the positivity rate will go beyond ten per cent. In the meeting held in the presence of Guardian Minister Bhujbal, a clear order has been given to the district administration that strict restrictions should be tightened if the citizens violate the rules.
The district administration’s concern has increased due to the crowd made by Nashikites on the first day of the Unlock. Seeing this, the District Collector has expressed hope that the people will exercise restraint hereon and keep a control on the Covid spread.
“We have cautiously effected the Break the Chain after a period of one and a half month of lockdown. People have come out on the streets on the first day, yesterday but I hope that they will exercise restraint hereon. Presently we are below 10, but if the positivity rate goes above, then we will have to rethink, and till Friday we will take a wait and watch stand.” – Suraj Mandhare District Collector
