COVID-19: Telangana imposes night curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM till May 1

Hyderabad: A day after the Telangana High Court directed the state government to act in the next 48 hours to curb the spread of Coronavirus or it will step in, the government on Tuesday announced to impose ‘night curfew’ from 9 PM to 5 AM with immediate effect and it will remain in force till 5 AM on May 1, 2021.

The decision has been taken in tune with the measures suggested by the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent the spread of Covid and after review the various measures to control the Coronavirus in the state.

There would be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement/transportation of essential and non-essential goods. No separate permission or pass will be required for such movement, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said in Government Order here.

During the curfew period, all offices, firms, shops, establishments, restaurants will close at 8 PM except hospitals, diagnostic labs, pharmacies and those dealing with supply of essential services.

Movement of all persons will be prohibited from 9.00 PM onwards, except persons engaged for essential services.

Those exempted from the night curfew include print and electronic media, telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services, IT and IT enabled services, petrol pumps, LPG, CNG, petroleum and gas outlets, power generation, transmission and distribution, water supply and sanitation, cold storage and warehousing services, private security services, and production units or services which require continuous process.

Public transport services including autos and taxis will be allowed to function within stipulated time for the transportation of some essential service category persons during the period of night curfew.

Any violation of the aforesaid instructions will result in prosecution under Sections 51 to 60 of Disaster Management Act 2005 and Section 188 of IPC as well as other applicable laws, the GO added.

In exercise of powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act 2005, the Chief Secretary, in his capacity as Chairperson, State Executive Committee, directed all Collectors and District Magistrates and Commissioners/Superintendents of Police in the state to strictly implement the night curfew instructions.

On Monday, the High Court had given a 48-hour ultimatum to the Telangana government to take steps to combat the spiralling covid-19 cases, failing which it will step in.

The Court said that if the government does not display a Covid appropriate behaviour, then it will step in to ensure that a strict combat regime is implemented across the state.

The High Court also directed the government to decide fast on enforcing night curfew and imposing strict curbs at shopping malls, function halls, clubs, restaurants, theatres to check the spread of Coronavirus.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao tested positive on Monday for the Novel Coronavirus.

He has mild symptoms and a release from the government said that he is presently in his farmhouse in Gajwel and his health is being monitored by a team of doctors.

As on Monday night, the state reported 5,926 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day tally since the outbreak of the pandemic with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) reported 793 cases and neighbouring Medchal-Malkajgiiri district 488 cases and Rangareddy district 455 cases.

COVID-19 deaths had surged to 1,856 after a record eighteen patients succumbed to the deadly virus in the last 24 hours. (UNI)