As people rushed to the shops, the Delhi administration cautioned the public against panic buying and assured home delivery of essentials.
New Delhi: Twenty coronavirus hotspots in Delhi – including the famous Sadar Bazar and as many as 34 residential localities across Noida and Greater Noida will be sealed.
The 20 hotspots to be sealed in Delhi include Markaz Masjid and Nizamuddin Basti, Dwarka’s Shahjahanabad society, parts of Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, Malviya Nagar, Sangam Vihar, Seemapuri, Vasundhara Enclave and Dilshad Garden.
The popular Bengali Market near Connaught Place was also sealed on Wednesday after three local residents tested positive for coronavirus. Today, the market would be open for a limited time, sources said.
Gautam Buddh Nagar is among the 15 districts in UP where hotspots (areas/clusters that have reported coronavirus cases) will be sealed till April 15, while the remaining areas will remain under lockdown (restricted outdoor movement of people), according to officials.
Gautam Buddh Nagar, adjoining Delhi in western UP, has recorded 60 COVID-19 positive cases on Wednesday, while 12 patients have so far been cured and discharged from hospitals, the officials said.
As false rumours of the “entire district” being sealed spread during the afternoon, several people rushed to their nearby shops, kiosks and vendors to buy vegetables, milk, fruits and other grocery items in large quantities, according to eye-witnesses.
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The news triggered panic among residents and huge queues were spotted outside all major grocery shops across the district with people rushing out to buy provisions.
As people rushed to the shops, the administrations cautioned the public against panic buying and assured home delivery of essentials.
The District Magistrate Suhas L Y assured essential commodities and services will be home delivered at all places in Gautam Buddh Nagar and urged people not to venture out and avoid panic buying.
“People should stay at home. Daily need items will be delivered to homes and there is no shortage of any food items in the district,” said Commissioner of Police Alok Singh Hindustan Times reported.
The UP & Delhi governments have also made face masks compulsory for people stepping out of their homes.
“Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of coronavirus substantially. Therefore, it has been decided that facial masks will be compulsory for anyone stepping out of their house. Cloth masks will be eligible too,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said this evening.
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