An ‘orange’ zone but Ghaziabad eases curbs a day after ‘red’ Noida & Delhi

TNN | Updated: May 5, 2020, 06:06 IST

Deserted look at Rajendra Nagar in Ghaziabad

GHAZIABAD: As cities in Delhi-NCR began Lockdown 3.0 by allowing limited resumption of economic activity, Ghaziabad remained an island on Monday.
The NCR city began the week with the same rules and curbs as the previous phase of the lockdown despite the UP government coming out with detailed guidelines for relaxations to be given in red, orange and green zones a day earlier.
Ghaziabad district magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey issued orders detailing rules applicable in the city for Lockdown 3.0 only on Monday evening. As a result, despite being in the orange zone, the city will open up a day after two red zones – Delhi and Noida -- where the Covid threat perception is higher. Ghaziabad’s Covid case load is nearly half that of Noida’s. It also has fewer containment zones where more severe restrictions apply.
The delay left residents perplexed. Many inquired about business resumptions guidelines through the day and whether 7am-7pm movement would be allowed in line with central rules for orange zones. Others wondered if cabs would be available. There were no answers all day.
Crowds also gathered outside liquor shops, which were allowed to open by the state government on Sunday evening. In some places like Kaushambi, policemen chased away people when they insisted on waiting despite the shops not opening.
Vimal Srivastava, a resident of Gyan Khand 2 in Indirapuram, said, “Around 8am, I had gone out to fetch milk when I saw a long queue outside a liquor shop in the area. I joined the queue too. At 11am, cops told us the shops will not open. Arguments broke out.”
The expectation was that Ghaziabad would initiate a staggered rollout of economic activity before Noida, being an orange zone. RWAs were pummelled with questions from residents who wanted to know if any specific rules had been issued on entry of domestic staff and mechanics.
Alok Kumar of the Federation of Apartment Owners Association said, “All through the day, we waited for guidelines from the administration. There was pressure on RWAs from residents who wanted to know whether maids, plumbers and mechanics will be allowed or not. I blame the district administration for putting us in this situation.”
Asked about the delay in the order being issued, the district magistrate only said, “There has been no delay in issuing guidelines.”