Day One of lockdown: Madurai streets empty
The public places and streets wore a deserted look as people preferred to stay indoors on the first day of the seven-day complete lockdown that began in Madurai district on Wednesday to contain the spread of novel Coronavirus pandemic.
Madurai
The Tamil Nadu government had on Monday announced enforcement of a week-long complete lockdown beginning from June 23 midnight in Madurai Corporation limits and Paravai Town Panchayat, following spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and also in the rural blocks of Madurai East, Madurai West and Thirupparankundram owing to minor increase in the number of positive cases mostly due to the inter-district movements.
Police placed barricades on the arterial roads and key inter-sections restricting the movement of vehicles to several main thoroughfares in the city and suburbs.
The bustling MGR Bus Stand, Arapalayam Bus Stand and Periyar Bus Stand were closed.
Movement of vehicles on bridges across River Vaigai was restricted by the police. Only Albert Victor Bridge, New Bridge, PT Rajan Bridge and Kamaraj Bridge were kept open for vehicle movement.
Essential services that include hospitals, medical labs, pharmaceutical shops, ambulance and hearse vehicle services and allied medical related activities were only permitted. Shops and business establishments, barring those dealing with essential commodities, remained shut.
Auto, taxi and private vehicles were not permitted. However, auto, taxi and private vehicles were allowed to ply for medical emergencies.
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