Several states have decided to bring an overnight curfew in districts that are witnessing a spike in cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) among other measures to contain the spread of infections. Authorities in several districts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan have imposed a night curfew. Under the orders of the Union Ministry of the Interior, states cannot impose a complete blockade without their permission.
Here are the details of the nightly curfews in effect in these states:
Madhya pradesh
The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to impose a nightly curfew on five districts, including the Covid-19 hotspots of Bhopal, Indore and Gwalior, since Saturday as the state reported 1,500 cases on Friday, the highest for status in the last 40 days. The government also decided to close schools until Class 8 until December 31.
The nightly curfew will be observed from 10 pm to 6 am in the five worst affected districts of Bhopal, Ratlam, Vidisha, Indore and Gwalior starting on Saturday. The night curfew will not be applicable to persons engaged in essential services, freight transportation, and factory night shifts. District administrations have also been asked to ensure the implementation of the Covid-19 guidelines and people have also been asked to wear a mask and disinfectant.
Official data shows that the positivity rate in Madhya Pradesh on Friday doubled to 4.8% from November 5, which was about one percentage point higher than the national average. Most of the Covid-19 cases were reported in Bhopal and Indore, which witnessed the first wave of Covid-19 in May and June, said a health department official, who is aware of the data.
Gujarat
Authorities have imposed a 57-hour curfew on Ahmedabad amid mounting cases of the coronavirus disease, which is described as the third wave of infections. The government has also announced a nightly curfew between 9:00 p.m. M. And 6:00 a. M. In Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara from Saturday. A nighttime curfew has already been announced in Ahmedabad starting at 9pm next Monday.
In addition to the curfew, the state government also postponed its decision to reopen schools and colleges as of November 23. The Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) also postponed examinations to hire medical teachers, which were due to start on November 22. statements said.
Read also | Gujarat Introduces Restrictions to Control the Spread of Covid-19
The decision to impose a nightly curfew was made after the state recorded 1,340 cases, the highest increase in infections in 47 days. In the 24 hours to Friday, Gujarat recorded 1,420 Covid-19 cases, bringing the state count to 194,402. It also recorded seven new deaths due to the virus, with the death toll now at 3,837, according to the health bulletin released by the state government on Friday.
Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, the government has imposed a night curfew in the eight worst affected districts and a 500 rupee fine on those who do not wear masks. The markets, restaurants, shopping malls and other commercial institutions in the urban area of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar and Bhilwara will be open until 7pm.
The night curfew will be maintained in the urban areas of these districts from 8 pm to 6 am Those who are going to attend a wedding ceremony, people related to essential services, and those traveling on buses, trains and planes will be exempt during the period. The presence of personnel in government and private institutions, with more than 100 people, will not exceed 75% in these districts. State government employees will be called on a rotating basis.
Rajasthan recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases in a single day on Saturday with 3,007 people testing positive. The state reported an 8.8% increase in Covid-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total number of infections to 240,676.
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