Covid Crisis: Uttar Pradesh Extends Weekend Lockdown, Announces Restrictions From Friday To Tuesday Morning 7 AM

Amid the huge spike in Covid cases, the Yogi Adityanath government has announced an extension of weekend lockdown for Uttar Pradesh. The state govt said that now lockdown restrictions will be followed from Friday night to Tuesday morning 7am.

The government said that that all markets, private and public offices will be closed from Friday night to Tuesday 7am till further orders.

Markets, shopping malls, and restaurants will also be closed. The government has advised people to remain indoors and only those involved in essential services will be exempted from the restrictions. Pharmacy shops, hospitals, and other essential services will be available during the lockdown. Religious places will also remain shut.

On Wednesday, the Allahabad High Court asked the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to look for options including lockdown considering the extreme shortage of oxygen and medical facilities in the state during a court hearing on Tuesday. While hearing a suo moto case on the COVID-19 situation in the state, a bench led by Justice Siddharth Varma said, “I again request, if things are not in control, then impose a two-week lockdown.”

Earlier also, the Allahabad High Court ordered a complete lockdown in five cities of the state including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur from April 19, 2021, to April 26, 2021, as high coronavirus cases were being reported from these places.