Curbs continue in district, state mum on relaxations

Nagpur: Despite Covid-19 weekly test positivity rate (TPR) further falling to 0.15% in the third week of July, existing restrictions will continue in the district. According to guardian minister Nitin Raut, he has given detailed information about the situation prevailing in the district, yet the state government has not taken any decision.
Raut told TOI that he will pursue the matter.
Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B and district collector R Vimala on Friday issued orders extending existing restrictions in the city and rural areas, respectively, for the period July 26 to August 1.
Sources in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and collector’s office said that orders will be revised in case the government approves extension in timings.
Currently, all permitted activities are allowed up to 4pm. Non-essential shops, restaurants etc are not allowed to remain open on weekends.
Citing less weekly TPR, occupancy of oxygenated beds and active cases, the district disaster management authority (DDMA) headed by collector had on July 9 sent a letter to the government seeking permission for few more activities and increase in timings till 8-10pm. The government has neither rejected nor approved the proposal.
On Monday, Raut had told officials to send a fresh proposal to the government. He also assured to take up the issue at the state-level.
In the letter sent on July 20, DDMA has sought increase in timing of restaurants till 8pm against 10pm sought in the first proposal. Also, DDMA proposed to continue with online meetings of office-bearers and not offline as sought in the earlier proposal.
In third week of July, the district reported Covid cases in single-digit for three days. TPR of the week was 0.15% as against 0.31% in the second week of July. Weekly TPR is below 1% for the last six weeks.