Mangaluru: The people of the city who are already reeling under the pangs of lockdown are now out for some more inconvenience as movement of private vehicles, two-wheelers and cars have been banned from 12.30 pm onwards from Thursday, April 2.
Informing about the same, Commissioner of Police, in his tweet on Thursday said: “Total ban on all movements of private vehicles, two wheelers/ cars .. from 12.30 hours today…People can avail of ambulance services for emergency medical needs..Detailed advisory will be issued shortly by District administration..appeal everyone to co operate .”
The move comes in wake of the negligent attitude of the people who unnecessarily move around the city even as the lockdown is in place to safeguard them from the spread of COVID-19.
Many say that such harsh imposition of rules will only worsen the situation of the people, especially the elderly who bank on vehicles to reach to medical help and medicines.
Till now, the district administration had allowed people to purchase grocery items between 7 am and 12 pm. However, there was vehicular movement in the city even after the deadline.
No warnings from police of seizing vehicles and filing criminal cases against the violators has fetched desirable results.
Citing different reasons and in the pretext of purchasing medicines and grocery items, people were seen roaming in the streets in their vehicles.
Taking a serious note on this, Commissioner of Police Dr P S Harsha informed of imposing total ban on all type of vehicles after 12.30 pm toady. People will have to finish their purchases before 12 noon.
Update (5.30 PM): Later, the compol clarified in a tweet that doctors, nurses, paramedics and hospital administrators are allowed to travel to and from work in their private vehicles. He added that those of the media fraternity are also allowed to use their vehicles if they have valid passes issued by the DIPR.
Update (7.45 PM): Bank employees on official duty are also allowed to ply their private vehicles during the lockdown. Answering a number of queries on Twitter, the compol announced, “Bank employees on official duty will be allowed to use private vehicle from home to office and vice versa on production of official id cards as they have been declared as essential services…[sic]”
