2011 World Cup Winner Munaf Patel is spreading awareness of the coronavirus pandemic in his village Ikhar in Gujarat. The village didn’t have a single case of the virus up until last week before 4 Jammat members tested positive. Munaf on hearing about the news decided to spread awareness about social distancing norms in the village. The 4 men who tested positive had travelled to Mumbai and Surat before touching down in Bharuch.
“Things were normal till last week when four positive cases were found. The whole village has been sealed and we are under lockdown now. The panchayat and the committee which I’m part of has ensured that essential commodities reach homes.” Patel said. “Barring a few places, most houses are spread out. It’s not like a city where one shares walls with neighbours. So social distancing is easy to follow in villages. It’s simple: Don’t stay in groups, wash your hands frequently,”
“The other day, the local administration wanted me to request people to follow social distancing; they took me to a nearby district and a small village. I went and requested the people to follow what has been told. I don’t want the virus to enter and create havoc in my village,” he added. The village has a population of a little more than 12000.
