kolhapur with the threat of covid19 looming large in the city a large number of youths are still flocking to the open grounds to play group games like cricket and football this scenario stands in stark contrast to the district administration orders which permits citizens to perform individual physical activities in the playgrounds without compromising on social distancing the youths congregating in the playgrounds are not only flouting social distancing norms most of them are also spotted withot masks thereby increasing the chances of infection spread there are 17 containment zones in the city from covid19 cases have been reported while the kolhapur municipal corporation kmc is implementing strict lockdown in the containment zones the playgrounds near the zones are full with youths from nearby localities municipal commissioner mallinath kalshetti said i have ordered to enforce strict lockdown people should stay at home as they may get infected parents should not let their children out for some days i have asked the local staff who can take help of the policemen to ensure no one comes to the public places such as gardens walking tracks and playgrounds the wardlevel committees have been asked to ensure youths do not indulge in group games in the open grounds however the committees have local representatives and civic staff who do not want to confront the youthmainly students attending schools and collegesit has been observed that even the policemen have stopped coming to the grounds to disperse the crowd self discipline can only help us slow down the growth rate of covid19 we are planning public participation to spread awareness about the precautions that need to be taken and what is allowed and what is banned for the safety of public at large said kalshetti