By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEHRADUN, 1 May: Dehradun district has been upgraded to orange zone from red zone by the Centre in view of the effective steps taken on controlling spread of COVID-19 (Novel Corona) pandemic. District Nainital has also been categorised as orange zone by the centre for the week beginning 3 May, while district Haridwar would continue in the red zone for the time being.
The Union Home Ministry today extended the lockdown from 4 May to 17 May. Meanwhile, one patient, reported to have Corona infection, expired today at AIIMS Rishikesh. However, the DG Health claimed that the cause of death was Ventricular Tachycardia Secondary to ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome) or in simple terms due to sudden reduced blood flow to the heart and not due to COVID-19 infection.
This means that Dehradun residents can hope for some significant relaxations after 3 May when new guidelines are issued by the Centre and the state government in respect of the Corona led countrywide Lockdown 3.0 beginning from 4 May onwards. It may be recalled that Lockdown 2.0 is ending on 3 May.
The academic institutions, malls, barber shops and salons and cinema theatres are expected remain shut during Lockdown 3.0, too.
District Magistrate Ashish Kumar Srivastava today confirmed that the Centre had upgraded Dehradun district to Orange zone in view of effective decisions and their strict compliance for prevention of spread of the pandemic. The DM thanked the district officials for discharging their duty with utmost sincerity and helping in the upgradation of the district from the red to the orange zone. Expecting similar cooperation from the residents of the district in future, Srivastava expressed the hope that Dehradun would soon be upgraded to the Green Zone.
Briefing the media, he clarified, however, that containment zones in the district would be considered red zones and restrictions applicable, accordingly, would continue to apply to these zones. There are at present 8 colonies in the containment zone in Dehradun district. These are Bhagat Singh Colony, Azad Colony, Muslim Colony in Lakhibagh and Kargi Grant in Dehradun Municipal area, Jhabarawala and Keshavpuri in Doiwala, Shiva Enclave and Bees Bigha Colony in Rishikesh.
