Don't restrict essential services, logistics during night curfew hours: Center

Hyderabad: The Central government has directed states and Union territories to implement the night curfew (9 PM to 5 PM) strictly during the extended lockdown, but not to restrict essential services.

The direction comes after the Centre found that certain states are restricting the movement of persons and vehicles plying on highways between 9 PM and 5 AM which is hindering their smooth passage.

In an official communication, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla- said, “The purpose of restricting movement of individuals, except for essential activities between 9 PM and 5 AM is primarily intended to prevent congregation of persons and to ensure social distancing. The restriction does not apply to instances of loading/unloading of goods ( as part of the supply chain and logistics); buses carrying persons and trucks and goods carriers plying on state and national highway or person travelling to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and flights”.

Addressing a letter to the Chief Secretary of all state, the center said, “It is advised not to prevent such movement on highways. Necessary instruction to this effect may please be issued to the districts and local authorities’.