Jaipur: With the rise in spread of COVID-19, three states – Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan – have imposed curfew during the night in districts that have registered a massive increase in the number of positive cases. To bring in a complete lockdown, states would need consent of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Madhya Pradesh, after having reported 1,500 positive cases on Friday, which was the highest in the last 40 days, imposed a curfew from 10 pm to 6 am in five districts – Bhopal, Ratlam, Vidisha, Indore and Gwalior – starting Saturday.
This curfew will not bar people associated with essential services, goods transport and night shifts at factories.
The district administration has decided to keep the schools closed till December 31. People have been asked to make proper use of mask and sanitiser.
In Gujarat, after 1,340 cases were recorded, which were the highest in the last 47 days, the authorities put a 57-hour curfew in Ahmedabad. In Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara, night curfew between 9 pm and 6 am has been declared from Saturday.
The state’s COVID case tally has reached 194,402 and the death toll is at 3,837.
In Rajasthan, a night curfew from 8 pm to 6 am has been imposed in eight worst-affected districts – urban area of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar and Bhilwara. A Rs 500 fine is also imposed for those not wearing masks.
The state has ordered that markets, restaurants, shopping malls and other commercial institutions in these districts will remain open only till 7 pm. The curfew will not be applicable on those going to attend a wedding ceremony, performing essential services, travelling on buses, trains and flights. The state government employees will also be called on a rotational basis.
On Saturday, Rajasthan recorded 3,007 positive cases, the highest in a single day. The total number of infections in the state has reached 240,676.
