Ghaziabad-Delhi border sealed again, essential services personnel allowed

The Ghaziabad administration on Monday sealed its border with Delhi again in view of the rising cases of coronavirus in the district in the last few days, according to an official order.

Essential services, including doctors, paramedical staff, police, bank employees and media personnel, are allowed to move across the two cities after showing identity cards, the order stated.

"There has been a rise in COVID-19 cases in recent days. A major part of these increased cases are linked to people commuting between Delhi and Ghaziabad," District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey said.

"Hence, on the recommendation of the chief medical officer (CMO), it has been decided to seal the Delhi-Ghaziabad borders like it was done earlier (April 26)," he said.

The DM said the entry of people into Ghaziabad from hotspots in Delhi will remain completely banned. Similarly, there will be a complete ban on exit of people from hotspots in Ghaziabad except for emergency cases.

The restriction would be in place till next order, he said.

Ghaziabad in western Uttar Pradesh has recorded 227 cases of COVID-19 till Sunday evening, according to an official statement.

The district has 18 hotspots while the entire urban Ghaziabad has been categorised as a 'red zone', it added.

The order stated that heavy vehicles or trucks carrying goods, vehicles involved in banking service and essential services and medicines will be allowed passage in Ghaziabad without questioning.

"Officers of the rank of Deputy Secretary and above in the central government who have to travel to Delhi for work can show their identity card for passage," it said.

"A lot of third and fourth class government officials live in Ghaziabad who work in Delhi. A government guideline says its offices are working at a 33 per cent strength. All such government employees who constitute that 33 per cent can get a travel pass issued to them which can be on a daily basis or weekly basis," the order said.

All such government employees will not be allowed movement only on the basis of their identity cards. They also need to have the office-issued pass, the order added.

Media personnel and lawyers working in Delhi will be allowed movement on the basis of their identity cards, the administration said.

Those in need to travel to Delhi for any important work can apply for a pass on http://164.100.68.164/upepass2, it added.