Yahoo Finance LIVE: Maharashtra could be headed for full lockdown, night curfew imposed in K'taka, U'khand
The Maharashtra government is most likely to announce a complete lockdown as the state is witnessing worrisome surge in daily numbers of Covid-19 cases. Fearing possible collapse of healthcare system due to unprecedented surge in infections, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said all cabinet ministers have requested Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to announce the imposition of statewide lockdown.
“We have requested the Chief Minister to announce a complete lockdown in the state from tomorrow at 8 pm. This was the request of all ministers to Chief Minister, now it is his decision,” ANI quoted Tope as saying on Tuesday.
There are indications that Thackeray would announce a decision on Wednesday.
Expressing concerns over a health care system under stress, Maharashtra Minister Aslam Sheikh said, “Looking at the shortage of supply of medical oxygen, Maharashtra is heading towards a complete lockdown; guidelines regarding it will be announced soon.”
Tomorrow after 8pm, the CM will announce the decision on lockdown in the state: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope pic.twitter.com/bk6z9qotXt
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2021
Complete Lockdown on Weekends in Karnataka
On weekends, the state will be under a complete curfew. Essential goods and services will be exempted from the curfew restrictions. Restaurants, swimming pools (except for training), cinema halls, malls in Karnataka are to remain closed for 14 days. Restaurants and food joints will be allowed to operate through takeaway service. All places of worship are to remain out of bounds for public.
Karnataka government announced a night curfew in the state from 9 pm to 6 am of May 4.
Night curfew to be imposed in Karnataka from 9pm on 21st April to 6am of 4th May. pic.twitter.com/7jSuaJY9hI
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2021
Night Curfew in Uttarakhand
A night curfew has been imposed in Uttarakhand between 7pm-5am, starting Tuesday. In Urban areas, shops are to be shut down by 2pm and only essential services are exempted from the curfew restrictions. Public transport and restaurants will be functional with 50% capacity while gyms, spas and swimming pools will remain completely closed. A Covid-19 negative report is mandatory for those entring the state.
Lockdown in Chandigarh on Wednesday
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Chandigarh administration announced a one-day lockdown in the city on Ram Navami on Wednesday.
The administration also extended the night curfew and weekend lockdown by two hours. Currently, the night curfew is being imposed from 10 pm to 5 am.
A proposal regarding a seven-day lockdown will be taken up on Friday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms. A number of Congress leaders including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma have tested positive for COVID-9. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has quarantined himself as his wife Sunita Kejriwal tested positive for COVID-19, said reports.
More states went for partial-to-full lockdown, night curfew and other restrictions on Tuesday as India’s active COVID cases crossed 20 lakh with 2,59,170 new coronavirus infections and a record 1,761 fatalities.
The Centre stressed that the next three weeks will be critical for the country reeling from the worst health crisis as it announced a series of measures to shore up medical infrastructure and supplies and scale up vaccination.
After Delhi, Jharkhand declared a one-week lockdown from April 22, while Maharashtra indicated a similar step soon. Telangana announced night curfew while Uttar Pradesh ordered a weekend lockdown.
The decision by the Uttar Pradesh government came as the Supreme Court granted an interim stay on its plea against the Allahabad High Court order directing lockdown till April 26 in five cities.
The state government held that it has taken several steps to contain the spread of coronavirus the high court order would create immense administrative difficulti
Ten states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, account for 77.67 per cent of the new COVID-19 infections reported in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday. And taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked why he was not showing the same passion to win the war against coronavirus as shown to win elections.
Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan are among the other states in the list of 10.
India's daily new cases are showing a rising trend and a total 2,59,170 new cases were registered in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 58,924. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 28,211 while Delhi reported 23,686 new cases.
India's total active caseload has reached 20,31,977 and now comprises 13.26 per cent of the country's total infections. A net increase of 1,02,648 cases recorded in the total active caseload in a day.
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala cumulatively account for 62.07 per cent of India's total active cases.
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