No lockdown but may impose night curfew if needed: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

In wake of rising COVID-19 cases in India, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has warned that night curfew might be reimposed in the state if required to curb the spread of the virus. The CM also urged people not to travel to Maharashtra as the state has witnessed a significant rise in the caseload.

In his address to the people, Chouhan advised labourers to avoid travelling to neighbour state Maharashtra in search of work due to the COVID-19 situation there. He assured them that they will get jobs under MGNREGA in their native places.

“I appeal to people, that if possible, they should avoid visiting Maharashtra where coronavirus is spreading fast, especially those living in border districts,” Chouhan said.

While the state government is not considering a night curfew at present, measures will be taken to contain the spread of COVID-19, said Chouhan. He also asked people to strictly follow COVID-19 guidelines including wearing masks and follow social distancing.

“My government will take all possible measures to check the spread of the virus, but alarm bells are ringing,” the Chief Minister said. Border districts like Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Betul, Chhindwara, Seoni and Balaghat should take extra care and people coming from Maharashtra should be screened on their arrival in the state, he said.

Chouhan called for strict precautionary measures in places like Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Betul etc. as the cases have sharply increased in these areas. Indore reported 139 cases while 70 were reported in Bhopal, 15 in Betul, 14 in Jabalpur and nine in Chhindwara. The positivity rate in Indore was reported to be 6 per cent while in Bhopal it was 4.5 per cent.

Notably, wearing masks has been made compulsory in Indore and Bhopal while imposing night curfew has also been discussed.

People coming from Maharashtra will be screened at the borders and only those who test negative will be allowed to enter the state.

Currently, there are 2,270 active cases in the state. The positivity rate in the state has been reported to be 2 per cent.