Indian Telangana state’s govt extends lockdown till May 29

NEW DELHI, May 6, 2020, India Today. The Telangana government has extended the Covid-19 lockdown in the state till May 29. After a cabinet meeting, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao told reporters that night-time curfew would continue in the entire state, India Today reported.

Announcing the extension in a press conference, Rao said, “We will enforce strict night curfew. We are ready to face any eventuality. We have enough facilities prepared.”

This means that lockdown in Telangana will extend beyond the third phase of the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown which ends on May 17 while the previously imposed night curfew from 7 pm to 6 am will continue statewide.

KCR said that only six districts in the state have been categorised as ‘Red Zones’ — Suryapet, Gadwal, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal and Vikarabad. Of these, Hyderabad and Medchal are the worst-affected and make up 66 per cent of the total coronavirus cases in Telangana. Other than those, 18 districts are in the ‘Orange Zone’ and nine in the ‘Green Zone’.

TELANGANA IMPOSES FRESH CURBS

The chief minister also clarified that no shops will be allowed to open in Red Zone districts. As of now, only 50 per cent of shops will be allowed to open after a lottery system. The functioning hours for shops will be from 10 am to 6 pm in orange and green zones.

Meanwhile, the state also announced the opening of liquor shops from May 6. Wine shops will be allowed to function from 10 am to 6 pm while strictly adhering to social distancing norms. The state has also hiked liquor prices by 16 per cent. CM KCR said that those not wearing a mask will not be allowed to buy alcohol in Telangana.

In additional set of lockdown guidelines, the Telangana government said that only 10 people will be allowed to attend funerals and for weddings, the maximum number is 20 people.

The Telangana government will hold a review meeting on May 15 to decide upon further relaxations.

CLOSE TO FLATTENING CURVE: KCR

KCR said that the lockdown is being extended to ensure that Hyderabad does not witness a mass community transmission stage like Mumbai, especially in the area covered by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

He also said that while the Covid-19 death rate across the country stands at 3.37 per cent, in Telangana it is only 2.64 per cent.

“Telangana is close to flattening the Covid-19 curve. According to Hyderabad-based biotech companies, the vaccine for Covid-19 may be out by August or September,” KCR added.

According to the latest health bulletin, there are 1,096 Covid-19 positive cases in Telangana of which 628 have been discharged after recovery.

This means there are 441 active cases in Telangana presently. The state reported 11 new cases today.

Last month, even before the Centre had announced the first extension of the nationwide lockdown till May 3, Rao had said the lockdown in Telangana would continue till May 7.