Telangana govt extends lockdown till May 29; Liquor outlets operations resumes

Hyderabad:The Telangana government on Tuesday night decided to extend the current lockdown till May 29 to contain the spread of the deadly  coronavirus pandemic even as the centre extended lockdown till May 17 across the country.

With the centre's decision to allow liquor shops in all zones with restrictions such as physical distancing, the state government also taken decision to allow all 2000-odd liquor shops in the state from Wednesday even in red zones except 15 shops situated in containment zones, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said in a press conference after a prolonged Cabinet meeting held at pragathi Bhavan,the camp office-cum-official residence of the CM here.

It also decided to increase in the prices maximum by 16 per cent on liquor, he said and warned severe action if physical distance not followed at liquor shops. The liquor shops will remain open from 10 AM to 6 PM daily.

Even as allowing 100 per cent shops in all rural areas ? from mandal to village level while 50 per cent shops in municipal towns in the state from Wednesday, the curfew will continue strictly from 7 PM to 6 AM across the state, he said the shops will be allowed in municipal towns on basis of rotation.  

However, there is no relaxation at highest density of population districts of Hyderabad (state capital), and other two districts ? Medchal-Malkajigiri and Rangana Reddy, where the highest positive cases and deaths reported in the state, the CM said the shops  (Cement, steel, electrical, hardware)linked to construction industry and agriculture industry will open at all places.

To overcome from the financial crunch raised due to lockdown,  the government also decided to allow sand mining, vehicle registrations at RTA office and land registrations and other activities at Stamps and Registration offices in the state from Wednesday.

The CM said the government would seek permission from the High court to conduct the remaining tenth class examinations in the state this month. 

Three exams had already conducted earlier before lockdown and the remaining eight exams  will be conducted based on the court's permission.The government also decided to conduct intermediate spot valuation from tomorrow, the CM informed.

After conducting a special review on the corona situation on May 15, the government would take a decision on the relaxation in five red zone districts ? Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medchal , Vikarabad and Warngal (urban),the CM added.

He said that the state had recorded 1,096 positive cases so far after registering 11 new fresh cases on Tuesday, while 439 people were undergoing treatment,628 had recovered and discharged .There were no deaths and the toll stood at 29.

Mr.Rao said that 18 districts in the state were in orange zone,while six were in red zone and 9 district green zone.He advised people to observe social distancing and wear masks to save themselves from the virus.(UNI)