The border between Delhi and Noida has been sealed off in a move to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Noida administration, while sealing the borders with Delhi, also announced to impose restrictions on all traffic movement to and from the national capital. As per the latest reports, the border will remain sealed until further orders, except for allowing movement of vehicles carrying essential items.
Reportedly, people carrying special passes will be allowed to cross the border, and that too after undergoing thermal testing for COVID-19. This said order is more stringent than the lockdown is, as it will make passes or authorisation mandatory for even essential service providers, journalists, and others to be allowed to travel between the borders. As per reports, identity cards have sufficed so far, but the Noida administration now insists that no movement will be allowed without authorisation or passes.
As per District Magistrate Suhas LY, the number of people travelling between these cities has been reportedly high and many, who have contracted the virus in Noida over the past few days, can be traced back to Delhi connection. The said decision was, therefore, taken on the advice of the district health department, he added. Further, the doctors have suggested that those who are travelling between Noida and Delhi, have a high probability of virus transmission, a major reason why the borders have been sealed with immediate effect, he stated.
However, exemptions will be there for the movement of doctors, certain officials, and vehicles carrying essential goods and services. Also, those deployed at the frontline for tackling the pandemic will get passes to travel hassle-free.
Since the order came late in the night, hundreds engaged in essential services, who had IDs but no authorisation or passes, had to face hassle at the Delhi-Noida borders.