Foreigners found near Ganga, Rishikesh amid lockdown asked to write, I am sorry, 500 times

NEW DELHI: Foreigners found strolling near the Ganga in Rishikesh amid lockdown were asked to write I am sorry, 500 times by police.

Police officer informed that several foreign tourists were seen strolling in the area even though lockdown was in place and that this time action was taken against 10 foreigners who broke rules.

He also informed that action will be taken against hotels and ashrams where the tourists are staying.

Some 600 tourists are stranded in Rishikesh as lockdown was announced suddenly.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to get the country going once again by allowing 15 various industries to commence operations and also allowing trucks, repair services, and street vendors to start work as the exit strategy from the coronavirus lockdown starts to take shape.

A number of large and small scale sectors have been allowed where they are mandated to ensure social distancing norms. The proposal comes two days before the lockdown is to end.

An important point made is that all employers whose entities is allowed to operate, may be allowed to ask the labourers to report for duty. If labourers do not report for duty, no salary guarantee without work will be the responsibility of the employer. This needs to be clarified by the Ministry of Labour, the government said.

Industry Secretary Guruprasad Mohapatra has written to Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla making the point that the lockdown has been in place since March 23.

“However, it is felt that certain more activities with reasonable safeguards should be allowed once a final decision on extension and nature of lockdown is taken by the Central government. These new activities are essential to improve economic activity and provide liquidity in the hands of the people,” Mohapatra said.

With unemployment concerns mounting, the government is keen to address this issue by allowing industry and economic activity to restart. Compared to the small opening that was being talked about, this is a rather large scale opening up after the lockdown.

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