Coronavirus: Rajasthan bans gathering of 5 or more people; Section 144 imposed

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government on Wednesday imposed a ban on gathering of five or more people throughout the state till March 31 to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. It is for the first time in recent years that section 144 of CrPC has been imposed throughout the state. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot took this decision after a high-level meeting with health and home department officials in the evening. The district magistrates and SDMs have been asked to promulgate orders to this effect.

Curfew has been imposed in one km redius of the place in Jhunjhunu where three latest cases of Coronavirus have been reported.

Gehlot said that such measures are necessary to prevent the spread of this epidemic which has crippled health services in many countries around the world and affected economies.

As per section 144 of CrPC, no gathering is allowed in an area without the prior permission of the administration.

“We are taking preventive measures and doing our best to control this disease,” said Gehlot.

He said that temples, mosques should not encourage people to gather through loudspeakers and public addressal systems.

The government has also imposed a ban on public-teacher meetings in schools. The libraries will also remain closed.

The people arriving in Jaipur from abroad will be taken directly to hotels near airports and screened for coronavirus.