Pune Police: You can step out in the sun on Monday; strict lockdown will start from Monday night

Pune: Joint Commissioner of Police Dr Ravindra Shisve on Saturday put all speculations to rest by clarifying that the lockdown will be implemented from Monday (July 13) night. Citizens' movement is allowed during the day time on Monday up to 10 pm as per earlier guidelines. However, from Tuesday (July 14) morning, strict lockdown will be implemented as per the administration's new guidelines.

The district and civic administration have announced to re-lockdown the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities for 10 days to contain the spread of coronavirus and break its infectious chain. The administration had announced that it will be a strict lockdown for the first five days - only milk, medical shops and hospitals will be open - and later some relaxations may be given depending on the evolving situation in the two cities. Speculations were rife in the city about whether the lockdown will start from Monday morning or Tuesday morning as it was not made clear during the press briefing by the administration. Many rumours were circulating on social media platforms asking citizens to stay at home from Monday morning itself. As a result, citizens had crowded at various markets, shops and outlets to stock essential and non-essential items required for 10 days.

Meanwhile, the Pune police department is planning the execution of the strict lockdown at its police station level. Some local police station officers and employees were informing citizens that the lockdown will be implemented from Monday morning itself. This created confusion in the minds of citizens as the police personnel are considered to be official sources of such sensitive information.

When asked to clarify on this issue, Dr Shisve said, "The administration has declared the lockdown from Monday night and the police department will implement it accordingly. Citizens can carry out their routine activities throughout the day on Monday. Citizens should avoid gossip on this issue and should not believe in any rumours."