District administrations across Jharkhand stepped up efforts to ensure social distancing norms are adhered to after Jharkand High Court on Friday directed the state government to take stringent action against violators while hearing a suo-motu PIL on rampant violations of lockdown guidelines.

In Ranchi, the district administration sealed 32 shops and slapped showcause notices on their owners for not taking due precautions while conducting business.

Jamshedpur has decided to shut down vegetable markets under three civic bodies - Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), Mango Notified Area Committee (MNAC ) and Jugsalai Municipality _ from 3pm, Saturday, to 7pm, Sunday.

The idea, senior administration officials said, was to sanitise all markets to prevent the further spread of the virus in the steel city that has seen a steady rise in the number of positive cases.

Th East Singhbhum district administration has also decided to tighten checks at all entry points to the steel city to ensure that no one is allowed in, especially if they are coming from neighbouring Bihar, Bengal or Odisha, without a medical check-up.

An official communique issued by Ranchi district administration in the evening said that deputy commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray had formed three special teams for random inspection of marketplaces after which erring establishments were identified for closure.

In all, 32 shops were sealed and served showcase notices for ignoring Covid safety norms. “All shops will stay close till the time they furnish satisfactory response to the showcause,” read the communique.

Among the establishments that were sealed are Vishal Mega Mart, Kolkata Bazar, Sitaram Jewellers, Mumbai Bazar —all on Main Road _ and the Tanishq showroom at Lalpur.

“Violations ranged from overcrowding, non-compliance of mandatory use of masks, inadequate facilities of sanitisation, etc. All the shops have been closed on immediate basis till further review,” said a district administration official who was part of the inspection team

Officials said the drive would continue to enforce unlock rules prescribed by both the Centre and state. The district administration has banned all forms of ceremonies, like laying of foundation stones or inaugurations, that may lead to gatherings.