Pune: Residents of rural parts in the Pune district will now have to give a 'warranty letter' to the Gram Panchayat office if they travel to Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities - the urban areas of Haveli taluka (sub-division of the district) for any purpose including work-related.

The warranty letter states that the individual travelling out of the village to Pune city areas will take all necessary precautions to safeguard his or her family, maintain social distance from the family members apart from using masks and sanitisers. The district officials have warned that action will be taken against those persons who are found violating these orders.

Since Pune city comes under the Haveli taluka, it has been termed as a 'hot-spot' even though most parts of the taluka have very less number of COVID-19 positive patients. Covering an area of 1,164 square kilometres, there are about 123 villages and five towns in the Haveli taluka. Every day, thousands of people residing the rural parts of the taluka (outside the city limits) and from other talukas travel to Pune city and adjoining areas for office, work or other purposes.

Block Development Officer Prashant Shirke has stated in his order that any person travelling to the urban city areas must give a letter of warranty at the Gram Panchayat office. The letter must mention the name and address of the individual travelling, the name of the company or organisation where he or she is working and that he or she will wear a mask, use sanitisers and will not spit in public places.

The order also states that the individual should take necessary precautions and safeguards to protect his or her family members and should maintain social distance from them after returning to the village. If the individual violates these rules, strict action will be initiated against him. Also, persons above the age of 60 years and with comorbidities should home quarantine themselves.