COVID-19: 14-day strict Sealdown Begins in Udupi District
Udupi: The 14-day long border sealdown in the Udupi district began on July 16, with the police swinging into action to restrict the inter-district movement of the people and vehicles.
The sealdown will be strictly enforced in the district from July 16 as decided by the state government to reduce the spurt in coronavirus cases.
The move comes as a total 8.86% of the international, inter-state and inter-district returnees subjected to the test since unlock 1.0 were found COVID positive and 14.2% cases reported in the district were their primary contacts.
The district administration had given time until July 15, 8:00 pm for all those who wanted to travel to other districts or enter the Udupi district to do so.
The police have intensified checking at the borders and have set up check-posts at Hejamadi, Mala-Karkala, Hosangadi and Shiroor. These check-posts have the mandate of screening each vehicle. The police were not allowing outsiders to enter the district without valid reasons.
According to the deputy commissioner, G Jagadeesh home delivery of essential items will be allowed. Hotels and restaurants shall be permitted to operate kitchens for take-away or home delivery of food items only.
Public transportation services which include KSRTC and private buses will remain suspended during the seal down period.
Interstate, Inter-district goods service vehicles will be permitted during the seal down period.
No religious congregation will be permitted without exception, and all social/ cultural/ religious functions/ gatherings are barred.
To maintain social distancing, a gathering of more than 20 people, including Archaka/Priest/Moulis are not allowed at the Temple/Church or Mosques.
The government has continued to allow weddings with a limited number of guests. According to the seal down guidelines, weddings are now allowed with more than 50 guests. As per the guidelines, the organisers or the hosts must ensure that the guests maintain social distancing at all times. In the case of funerals, congregations of more than twenty people will not be permitted.
People with travel history from other regions are contributing a significant share to the number of COVID-19 cases in the district. The seal down of borders, which will prevent the influx of people from other regions, will help in controlling the spread of the disease in the region, said the DC.