Nashik administration has hit upon a novel idea to stem the rising tide of Covid-19 cases in the district: Anyone entering market would have to pay Rs 5 per hour—hopefully this would decongest markets.
“We are using a different approach to contain COVID-19 spread in Nashik. We are issuing a ticket of ₹ 5 per person to enter a market area for an hour. It’s an attempt to save the city from entering lockdown,” said Deepak Pandey, Commissioner of Police, Nashik City on Tuesday.
On March 30, Maharashtra registered 27,918 new COVID-19 cases and 139 deaths.
Meanwhile, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope has urged people to get themselves tested for the virus.
“ICU and oxygen beds are filling up fast as people are coming to the hospitals in a bad state because they got themselves tested very late. I appeal to everyone to get tested,” Rajesh Tope said.
Maharashtra’s minister Nawab Malik has said that the state cannot afford a lockdown and he has asked Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to consider other options.
“We can’t afford a lockdown. We’ve asked the CM to consider other options. Due to rising cases, he has directed the administration to prepare for a lockdown but that doesn’t mean that a lockdown is inevitable. If people follow rules, it can be avoided,” Nawab Malik told ANI on Tuesday.
