HYDERABAD: Two bikers spitting intermittently on the road generated fear among the residents of Siddharth Nagar, near AG Colony, Erragadda on Sunday. Children, who noticed these unknown youth spitting, informed their parents and the panic-stricken people reported the matter to the police.

It may be reminded that spitting, one of the ways through which coronavirus spreads, has been banned in the city. Many denizens were even booked for inadvertently spitting on the roads. Once this incident came to light, police swiftly barricaded the entire area.

Even the GHMC sanitation wing, which was roped in on Monday, sprayed disinfectant in the entire colony as well as the adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, police cautioned the watchmen of the apartment complexes in the region to restrict the movement of inmates and outsiders. Police, however, allowed the residents to purchase essentials like milk, newspapers, vegetables and medicines.

"We were petrified after the spitting incident and are staying indoors. No vegetable and fruit vendors are allowed on this stretch. We have also advised senior citizens to stop morning walk for a few days and take precautions like wearing masks and using sanitizers," said Subramanyam, a resident of Siddharth Nagar.

Children, who used to play outside, were strictly told not to come out until barricades are removed on April 30. When TOI contacted sub-inspector Mahender of SR Nagar, he said that the region was barricaded to protect the area from the rapid spread of the coronavirus.