PUNE: It was a lazy Sunday for Punekars, who mostly remained indoors, as a precautionary measure in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) scare.
Major streets in the city like Laxmi Road, Tilak Road, Jangli Maharaj Road, Fergusson College Road, Koregaon Park, Baner Road and Ahmednagar Road wore a deserted look on Sunday.
Binge-watching and indoor games came to the rescue of youngsters, children and seniors alike, as the residents spent their day at home.
With the government shutting down malls, parks and theatres to prevent any possible spread of COVID-19 in Pune, citizens had to find innovative ways to spend the day, especially families, where keeping the children busy was a task!
Binge-watching web series on OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime came to the rescue of youngsters and bachelors.
Aundh resident Neeru Satpute, a mother of two, said that her daughters spent the day watching TV but went out with ‘society friends’ in the evening.
“In housing societies with parks and gardens, children are being allowed to play with each other, however, parents are exercising caution,” said Simran Sinha from Warje.
“We tried to engage children in indoor games like carrom, chess and cards too,” said Anjana Joshi, a mother of three, from Kothrud.
Dagdusheth temple in Budhwar Peth had very few devotees reflecting the scenario at most of the religious places in the city.
Anil Rithe, a grocery shopkeeper in Budhwar Peth, said that the coronavirus scare has adversely affected his business.
With weddings and functions getting cancelled or postponed, saree shop owner Mauli Habode said that people are not coming out for shopping.
Office goers enjoyed the day off, but gyms, theatres and malls also experienced very few visitors.
Leisurely, morning walks on Sunday took a backseat with the closure of parks and very few people venturing out on the street.
The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) campus, where many prefer to go for a walk, was closed.
Fitness enthusiasts avoided their Sunday-special gatherings but individual runners were seen exercising in some areas.
PIMPRI CHINCHWAD SITUATION
- In Pimpri Chinchwad areas, the authorities have asked parents not to send their children to play outside as the schools have been closed.
- Pimpri Chowk, Chapekar Chowk, Bhakti-Shakti Chowk and Pimpri PMP Chowk, which are otherwise always crowded, had less people on Sunday.
- The PCMC Health Department has undertaken a cleanliness drive at various places. Many busy areas are being fumigated to prevent the spread of diseases.