War against COVID-19: Warangal villages opt for voluntary lockdown as cases surge

Warangal: Coronavirus is causing havoc in the rural areas of the erstwhile Warangal district.While many villages remained unaffected during the first wave, they have been badly hit in the second wave.

At least 30 to 40 persons in each village are testing positive every day. As a result, the village governing bodies are opting for the voluntary lockdown to stop the spread of the virus. This follows the government's decision not to impose a statewide lockdown.

Under the plan, the business establishments are allowed to remain open for only two hours during the morning and evening hours. Entry of outsiders into the villages is barred.

Asha workers and ANMs are providing isolation kits to those with symptoms. They are also conducting door to door survey and checking residents' temperatures. If villagers are symptomatic they are being given medicine. If the symptoms are severe, they are referred to the hospitals. Those who tested positive are either home isolated or admitted to hospital.

In Bhupalpally town, traders have announced a voluntary lockdown. Ellaboina Ramchander Yadav, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the lockdown would continue till June 11. He said business transactions would be suspended between 2 pm and 6 am.

In Mangapet village of Mulugu district, the voluntary lockdown will remain till May 20. Village special officer Srikanth and the village panchayat governing council decided to allow business establishments to run between 6 am and 1 pm only. Anyone found flouting the rules would be fined Rs 1000.

In Kaleswaram village of Bhupalpally district, self-lockdown will be implemented till May 20. Sarpanch Vennapureddy Vasantha said the decision to implement the lockdown for a fortnight was taken in the wake of the increase in COVID cases.

"Shops in the village will be open between 6 am and 12 pm only. Residents were asked to remain indoors during the rest of the time," she said.