Uttarakhand tightens restrictions in view of COVID-19 surge
What's the story
The Uttarakhand government has ordered the closure of markets in urban areas barring shops dealing in essential commodities from 2 pm onwards and changing the night curfew timing across the state from 9 pm to 7 pm. The order aimed at checking the spread of COVID-19 comes into effect from Wednesday, Chief Secretary Om Prakash said.
COVID-19 restrictions
Negative RT-PCR test report compulsory if traveling from Delhi
The night curfew timing for all 13 districts is 7 pm-5 am. Shopping malls will remain closed. Considering the likelihood of people from Uttarakhand working in Delhi returning home in the wake of a six-day lockdown in the national capital, online registration and a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours has been made mandatory for the returnees.
Further restrictions
Cinema halls, restaurants to run at 50% of their capacity
All schools, degree colleges, institutes, and coaching centers have been closed in the state. The revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) also make it mandatory for all modes of public transport, including buses and auto-rickshaws to run at half their seating capacity. Cinema halls, restaurants, bars, and gyms will also run at half of their total capacity.
Further details
Swimming pools and spas to remain closed
According to the new SOPs, not more than 100 people can gather for religious, political, and social functions barring the ongoing Kumbh Mela where the restrictions announced earlier will remain effective. It orders complete closure of swimming pools and spas in all districts. Organizing religious, political, and social functions will be completely prohibited in containment and micro-containment zones.
COVID-19 numbers
Uttarakhand has recorded over 126K coronavirus infections
Uttarakhand reported its highest number of COVID-19 cases in a day on Tuesday with 3,012 people testing positive for the infection. With this, the tally has crossed the 126K mark in the state with 1,892 deaths reported so far. India on Wednesday reported 2.95 lakh new coronavirus infections. The nationwide tally has now climbed to 1.56 crore, with the death toll at 1,82,553.