If people don’t follow COVID-19 protocols, we will impose lockdown in the district again, warns Jalgaon collector

Jalgaon, February 17, 2021: Considering the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the district, citizens will have to abide by some restrictions, or they will have no choice but to face another lockdown, warned Jalgaon District Collector Abhijit Raut.

Masks are mandatory for everyone who goes out of their houses. The authorities have received orders to enforce them. The collector also said that lockdown will be implemented in the district if the number of COVID-19 patients keeps increasing in the coming seven days.

Considering the increasing number of COVID-19 patients in the Jalgaon district, an emergency meeting of various agencies was recently held at the Collector’s Office under the chairmanship of District Collector Raut.

Chief Executive Officer Dr BN Patil, Municipal Commissioner Satish Kulkarni, Additional Collector Pravin Mahajan, Additional Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Gawli, Superintendent of Government Medical College Dr Jaiprakash Ramanand, District Surgeon NS Chavan, District Health Officer Dr Dilip Patode, Resident Deputy Collector Rahul Patil, Deputy Collector Tukarat Hulwale, Municipal Medical Officer Dr Rawlani and members of the COVID-19 task force were present during the meeting.

‘No mask, no entry’

Given the increasing COVID-19 cases in the Jalgaon district, the collector has directed all concerned agencies to make it mandatory to wear masks in crowded places like schools, colleges, government offices, hotels, restaurants, lawns, wedding halls, malls, parks, playgrounds, and public transport systems. He has also directed the police department to take strict action against those who do not wear masks.

Appeal to avoid crowded events

“Citizens should avoid crowded events, municipal corporation and the police department should set a limit of 100 persons while allowing crowded events, otherwise such events should not be allowed.

Relevant agencies should ensure that all the COVID-19 protocols are being followed at the programs. The collector has also directed to take action against the concerned establishments if there is no observance of social distancing without masks.

‘It is mandatory to follow rules’

Given the growing congestion in markets, public establishments should force consumers to wear masks, arrange sanitizers at shops, and ensure that social distancing is maintained, he said.

“Any person should not be allowed in malls, hotels, parks, and public ceremonies without masks,” the collector appealed.