Partial 'corona curfew' imposed in Uttar Pradesh extended due to rising COVID-19 cases

File Photo (ANI)

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh on Monday (May 3, 2021) extended the partial 'corona curfew' due to rising COVID-19 cases. UP's Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Navneet Sehgal said that the curfew will remain in place till 7 am on May 6.

All shops and establishments will now remain closed till Thursday 7 am.

This arrangement is for this week only, he said adding that decision has been taken for breaking the chain of coronavirus.

During this period, all essential services will be allowed and the vaccination drive will continue.

On April 29, the state government had announced that weekend lockdowns will now cover Mondays too.

Uttar Pradesh recorded 290 new coronavirus deaths and 30,983 infections on Sunday. The state's toll has now risen to 13,162, while the total caseload has increased to 13.13 lakh. There are currently 2.96 lakh active cases in the state.

Earlier on April 26, the Allahabad High Court had advised the Uttar Pradesh government to impose a two-week lockdown amid the COVID-19 crisis. Bar and Bench quoted Justice Siddhart Varma as saying, “I again request, if things are not in control then impose a two-week lockdown. Please suggest it to your policy makers. It is blowing out of proportion, that is the first thing it seems.”

The Supreme Court on May 2 also advised the central and state governments to consider a complete COVID-19 lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. The apex court's order came after various sessions of hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic situation. 

"In light of the continuing surge of infections in the second wave of the pandemic, we direct the Central Government and State Governments to put on record the efforts taken to curb the spread of the virus and the measures that they plan on taking in the near future," the Supreme Court said.

(With agency inputs)