Maharashtra: Gadchiroli taking extra efforts to retain green zone tag

The administration of Gadchiroli, which is the only district with no coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, is now taking extra care being more vigilant to ensure it retains the green zone tag.

Maharashtra has total 36 districts. Gadchiroli, located over 900 km from Mumbai in the state''s Vidarbha region and having a population of around 12 lakh, has not reported a single COVID-19 case yet.

"If at all any (positive) case comes here, it will come from outside the district now. So, we are strictly monitoring the labourers who are entering the district limits. We are being extra careful of people coming from non- containment zones of places which have reported more cases, said Gadchiroli Collector Deepak Singla.

"We have formed gram samitis (committees) of sarpanch, talathi (revenue officer), gram sevaks locally to keep a watch and people coming from outside are being quarantined at schools for a 14-day period, Singla said.

The district administration has allowed markets in the district to remain open from 7 am to 5 pm with certain restrictions and on the condition of maintaining social distancing. "We are, however, not allowing public events, the official said.

As of Wednesday, Maharashtra reported 25,922 positive cases and 975 deaths.