Jaipur: Amidst a rise in COVID-19 infections across the nation, Rajasthan becomes the first state in India to impose complete lockdown till March 31.
"There will be a "complete lockdown", barring essential and medical services, in the state from March 22-March 31 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus and keep people safe," Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said in a statement.
Gehlot took the decision at a high-level meeting with the top officials. All government offices, malls, factories, public transport etc. will remain shut during the period, he said.
So far, 25 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the state and report of 40 others are awaited.
The move comes just a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a 'Janta curfew,' or a symbolic self-isolation for a day in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Cutting across party lines, chief ministers and others leaders have urged people to follow the self-imposed curfew from 7 am to 9 pm, noting that "social distancing" was key to breaking the chain of infection, as the number of coronavirus cases rose to 298.
States like Maharashtra, Odisha and Bihar have already imposed partial lockdown till month end.
