The district administration which has been battling to contain the further spread of Covid-19 has decided to utilise youths roaming on roads defying the prohibitory orders, as volunteers for a struggle against the virus.

Deputy Commissioner B Sharat said despite imposing the prohibitory orders under Sections 144 of CrPC till March 22, youths wandering on roads has come to the notice of the administration. Such people will be taken into custody and will be engaged as volunteers to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Except for buying essential commodities, the people should not venture out of their houses. They should extend cooperation with the district administration in preventing the pandemic, he appealed. However, the public heaved a sigh of relief as no fresh Covid-19 positive cases were reported since the last Tuesday in the district. Out of 26 blood and throat swab samples sent for laboratory, three tested positive including one death and 16 confirmed negative. Three samples have not been tested due to technical reasons and the results of four samples are awaited, the DC said.

In the wake of the prohibitory orders, the business establishments continued to shut down and vehicular movement on roads is thin. Most of the people remained indoors owing to Covid-19 scare.