Pune: After seven months, with strict norms in place, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reopened 89 of the total 204 gardens and parks across Pune city on November 1. Visitors were only allowed to walk or jog, and all group activities are still banned. Also, children below five and senior citizens above 65 were not allowed to enter, but after 11 days, Punekars are flouting these rules.
In his order, PMC Vikram Kumar clearly stated that it is mandatory to follow guidelines on social distancing and sanitation, but it seems Puneities have neglected all these COVID-19 protocols. With an increasing number of people flouting the guidelines, PMC has now warned people to follow the rules, or once again the gardens will be closed till further notice.
Gardens and parks were closed for seven and a half months amid the lockdown. However, the administration decided to reopen them after many of the people requested them to do so. In the wake of the growing threat of COVID-19, the administration decided to ban senior citizens and children visiting the garden, but it seems this decision is only on papers. Many children, senior citizens are seen visiting several gardens in the city.
Even after giving proper instructions to the citizens, the officials and employees of the garden department have said that people are not following the rules.
Ashok Ghorpade, Chief Garden Superintendent PMC said, "The administration has already issued an advisory for gardens. Some people are seen violating the COVID-19 protocols and are inviting the spread of COVID-19 in the city. If people fail to follow the norms, the administration may plan to close the gardens again."
