537 +ves in 72-day lockdown, 757 in 21 days after easing it

Nagpur: Fears for the worst are coming true after relaxation in lockdown as the number of Covid cases has shot up in city in June.
An analysis of the rising cases shows that when complete lockdown was enforced in the city, increase in the number of Covid cases was slow and also there were less rule violations. As the restrictions were relaxed on June 1, the number of new cases has shot up exponentially.
With 27 more persons testing positive for Covid-19 in the district on Sunday, the number of cases has increased to 1,298.
What is alarming is the fact that 537 cases were registered in 72 days of full lockdown, whereas latest 757 came in just 21 days of June after easing it. Four cases were detected before lockdown.
The state government had allowed non-essential shops to open on alternate day system and NMC devised its policy permitting shops on one side of the road to open on alternate day basis.
However, a visit to market places like Khamla, Dharampeth, Sitabuldi, Mahal, Itwari, Sakkardara, Central Avenue etc, shops can be seen open on both sides of the road. Only in areas like Jaripatka and part of Dharampeth, shops were seen following the alternate day system.
Despite state government prohibiting opening of malls, the NMC had taken a considerate view and allowed malls of smaller size to function.
Commenting on the violations, mayor Sandip Joshi said the alternate day system for shops has not been effective in the city. “As mayor, it is also my responsibility to ensure action against violators, but the NMC administration has failed to implement the system,” he said.
The NMC’s nuisance detection squad (NDS) has recovered a fine of Rs 1,000 each from 257 shop owners for violating the norm in last 17 days.
Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe in a circular had also authorized police department to take action. CP Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay told TOI, “It is NMC’s primary responsibility to monitor shops and not the police. We are here to help the NMC.”
Dipen Agrawal, president of Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry & Trade (CAMIT), said, “Alternate day system for shops was not practical. There will be rush of customers if shops on only one side are open. There is urgent need for opening all businesses as they were completely shut for around three months. Commerce will have to be allowed under government monitoring. Unfortunately, the government has failed to end the chain of virus despite full lockdown.”
The government had made mandatory for all to wear mask whenever they move out. The NMC had even finalized fine for such violations. NDS has recovered fine of Rs 2.35 lakh from 1,176 persons.
Upadhyay said police had also recovered fine from around 300-400 people.
Though prohibited, tea stalls and street food stalls can be seen in operation at a few places. Shops selling tobacco-related products have opened shops and are displaying grocery, milk and dairy products on boards. Open garden restaurants in Nagpur Rural are functioning without any action being taken on them.