Agra, Mar 25 (IANS): The festivities associated with the Hindu New Year and Nav Durga beginning Wednesday, were badly hit in the Taj city and the neighbouring Mathura district which has seen a mass exodus of pilgrims due to COVID-19 in the last few days.

The religious shrines and temples in Vrindavan and Goverdhan were deserted. Police effectively prevented movement of vehicles and groups of devotees. Barricades have been raised at all entry points, local officials said.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini made a fervent appeal to the locals to stay home and to strengthen Prime Minister Modi's resolve to contain the menace of COVID-19. She has already donated Rs 1 crore from her constituency funds to help the health services.

In Agra, the major irritant is the inadequate food supply. Though the administration has promised hassle free home delivery of essentials, the operation is yet to begin.

The police is taking strict action against those who are violating the lockdown. More than 60 FIRs have been registered and a lot of people have been penalised for violating the lockdown.

The District Magistrate and senior police officials said all out efforts were being made to put a system in place to ensure people did not have to go to the shops.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the city administration to gear up for a streamlined distribution mechanism and keep a tab on prices.

The medical teams, meanwhile, expressed relief as no new case was reported on Wednesday, though screening continued at different locations.

As of now, only one female patient is under treatment, after she had fled from Bengaluru. Over a thousand people are being monitored.