Arasur takes 12-day self-imposed lockdown route to fight contagion

Coimbatore: A week after RG Pudur emerged as the Covid-19 cluster, from where the virus spread to neighbouring Chinniampalayam and Mylampatti, the residents of Arasur, located 9km away, have decided to do their bit to keep their area safe from the novel coronavirus attack. The village panchayat will go into lockdown mode for 12 days - from June 25 to July 6 - when no outsiders will be allowed to enter the locality.
Speaking to TOI, Arasur village panchayat president Manonmani’s husband Anbarasan confirmed that the “self-imposed” lockdown would be in force from Thursday. “While medical shops will remain open through the day, grocery shops will function only from 8am to 2pm. The roadside shops, especially hawkers, selling fruits and vegetables will not be allowed.”
He said outsiders, especially people from Chinniampalayam, RG Pudur and the city, won’t be allowed to enter the village panchayat limits. Pointing out that there were 85-odd industrial units functioning in the area, he said they had agreed to function only with local employees. “In fact, it was they and members of traders’ association who requested this lockdown. If people from other districts enter our limits, the residents can contact panchayat leaders, who will take care of the issue.”
The decision to go into lockdown mode was reportedly taken at a panchayat meeting that was conducted on Monday evening. The meeting was attended by representatives from industries, traders and public.
“The residents and traders are worried as an infected young man has died in our close vicinity. with the authorities constantly changing containment zone rules, we don’t know how an outbreak or cluster in our village panchayat will affect our economy and health. So, this is a precautionary measure,” Anbarasan said.
As per the 2011 census, the panchayat had a population of 15,000. But panchayat chiefs say the population is close to 40,000.