Telangana announces night curfew from April 20 till April 30 to curb spread of COVID-19

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Hyderabad: The Telangana government led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday announced a night curfew in the state between 9 PM and 5 AM till April 30, following a surge in coronavirus cases.

The restrictions will come into effect from April 20. "Various measures to control COVID-19 in the state have been reviewed. It is decided to introduce night curfew in the state for the period from 9 PM to 5 AM till 30th April 2021 as a further measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the order issued by the state’s Chief Secretary, Somesh Kumar said.

Government of Telangana announces night curfew in the state from 9 PM to 5 AM. The order comes into effect immediately and will remain imposed till May 1st. Essential services to remain exempted. pic.twitter.com/0u4ePfcMo0 — ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2021

The state has 42,853 active cases and counting. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao also tested positive for the virus on Monday.

During the curfew period, all offices, firms, shops, establishments, restaurants etc shall close at 8 pm except hospitals, diagnostic labs, pharmacies and those dealing with the supply of essential services such as media, e-commerce deliveries and Petrol pumps among others.

Movement of all people shall be prohibited from 9 pm onwards barring government officials, medical personnel and those coming from or going to airports, railway stations, bus stands on the production of a valid ticket, among others.

The order said there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement or transportation of essential and non-essential goods and no separate permission or pass will be required for such movement.

Public transport services including autos and taxis shall be allowed to function within the stipulated time for the transportation of exempted categories of people during the period of night curfew, it added.