The Chhattisgarh government on
Thursday invoked section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in urban areas to discourage gathering of people after the state recorded its first confirmed case of coronavirus.
The government has also ordered closure of malls, markets, fast food joints, beauty parlours and spas in urban areas with immediate effect.
A 24-year-old woman, who had recently returned to Raipur from London, has tested positive for the virus.
In a video address, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, "To prevent the spread of coronavirus, the government has imposed section 144 in all municipal corporation areas of the state."
The decision was taken to discourage crowding so that the infection is contained, he added.
Section 144 gives the government powers to restrict the movement of people in a particular area.
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People with travel history to foreign countries are being screened, Baghel said, urging people to come forward with information about anyone who has not reported his or her foreign travel to the health department, by calling toll-free number 104.
Special allowance would be provided to health department staff who are engaged in the treatment of coronavirus patients, he added.
Meanwhile, the urban administration and development department has ordered closure of malls, markets, fast food joints, beauty parlours and spas in urban areas with immediate effect.
The state government has already shut schools, colleges, universities, anganwadis, public libraries, swimming pools, cinema halls, multiplexes, water parks and gyms.
Operations of inter-state buses, both to and from the state, have been stopped.
The Raipur district administration has shut shops, restaurants, bars, wine shops and clubs in Samta Colony and adjoining areas as the woman who tested positive for the infection is a resident of the locality, an official said.
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