Telangana extends night curfew till May 8, 2021

Hyderabad: Amid the surge in COVID19 cases in the state, Telangana Government on April 30 announced 'night curfew' in the state has been extended for a period of seven days up to 5 am on 8th May 2021.

Earlier, the Telangana government on April 20, announced 'night curfew' beginning April 20 till April 30, 2021. The night curfew will be imposed from 9 pm to 5 am beginning today.

"The various measures to control COVID-19 in the state have been reviewed. It is decided to introduce a night curfew in the state for the period from 9 pm to 5 am the next day till 30th April 2021 as a further measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The order came after Telangana High Court on Monday asked the state government to take a call on imposing a night curfew," said Somesh Kumar, Chief Secretary on April 20.

The order came after Telangana High Court on April 19 directed the state government to take a call on imposing night curfew or weekend lockdown to check the spread of the virus.

Things Which are allowed and Prohibited

During the night curfew all offices, firms, shops, establishments, restaurants, etc. shall close at 8.00 PM except hospitals, diagnostic labs, pharmacies, and those dealing with supply of essential services such as the following:

a) Print and electronic media.

b) Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services, IT, and IT-enabled services.

c) Delivery of all goods through e-commerce.

d) Petrol pumps, LPG, CNG, petroleum and gas outlets.

e) Power generation, transmission, and distribution.

f) Water supply and sanitation.

g) Cold storage and warehousing services.

h) Private security services.

i) Production units or services which require continuous process.

Movement of all persons shall be prohibited from 9.00 PM onwards except the following categories of persons:

a) Persons engaged in the activities listed above.

b) Officers of Government of India and Government of Telangana including those of urban local bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions on emergency duty on production of valid identity cards.

c) All private medical personnel such as doctors, nursing staff, paramedics and providers of other hospital services, etc. on production of valid identity card.

d) Pregnant women and patients for the purpose of receiving medical care.

e) Persons coming from/going to airports, railway stations, bus stands on the production of a valid ticket.

There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement/transportation of essential and non-essential goods. No separate permission/pass will be required for such movement.

Public transport services including autos and taxis shall be allowed to function within the stipulated time for the transportation of abovementioned categories of people during the period of night curfew.

The above provisions of night curfew shall come into effect immediately and remain in force till 5.00 AM, 1st May 2021.

Any violation of the aforesaid instructions shall result in prosecution under Sections 51 to 60 of Disaster Management Act 2005 and Section 188 of IPC as well as other applicable laws.