COVID Surge: Haryana Follows Odisha, Becomes 12th State/UT To Impose Night Curfew

Chandigarh: Haryana on Monday became the 12th state/union territory to announce night curfew – either partial or in selected districts or towns – to curb the frightening surge in coronavirus cases across the country.

Odisha is among 12 states/UTs to have announced restrictions on movement at night or during weekends.

Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij told PTI that night curfew will be imposed in the state with immediate effect.

“Night curfew between 9 pm and 5 am will be imposed from tonight (Monday night) and will remain in force till further orders,” Vij said.

Haryana reported a record 3,440 fresh coronavirus cases and 16 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the fatalities toll to 3,268. The aggregate of COVID cases mounted to 3,16,881.

Here’s a look at states/UTs where night curfew has been imposed:

ODISHA

Odisha government has imposed night curfew in 10 districts — Sundargarh, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur. The curfew hours are from 10 pm to 5 am. It came into effect from April 5.

UTTAR PRADESH

Night curfew has been imposed in areas under Lucknow Municipal Corporation till April 16. Essential items have been exempted, and there will be no ban on movement of goods vehicles either, according to Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash.

KARNATAKA

Karnataka being one of the worst-affected states in the second wave of COVID-19, the government has imposed night curfew in seven cities – Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Tumakuru and Manipal. The curfew, from 10 pm to 5 am, will be in place till April 20 as of now, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced. Essential services will continue.

MADHYA PRADESH

Weekend lockdown restrictions have been announced in the state. “There will be a lockdown in all urban areas of entire Madhya Pradesh from 6 pm on Friday till 6 am on Monday. We are also setting up containment zones in big cities. My intention has never been to impose a complete lockdown,” Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced.

PUNJAB

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced night curfew, to be effective from 9 pm to 5 am, till April 30. The number of people who can attend funerals and weddings has been reduced to 50 for indoor gatherings and 100 for outdoor functions.

DELHI

The Arvind Kejriwal-headed government introduced a night curfew in the national capital from 10 pm to 5 am, till April 30. Cases in Delhi have been rising steadily, with 65% of those affected by the virus being under 45.

MAHARASHTRA

The worst-affected state, both last year and during the current second wave, Maharashtra took its time before deciding to clamp night curfew across the state, from 8 pm to 7 am. Weekends will see a complete lockdown – from 8 pm on Fridays till 7 am on Mondays. Essential commodities and medical services will be exempted. There will also be a ban on gatherings of five or more people throughout the day.

CHANDIGARH

The Chandigarh administration has announced night curfew in the city — 10 pm to 5 am – daily until further notice. Only essential services will be allowed to function. No gatherings allowed during curfew hours, all restaurants to shut down by 10 pm.

GUJARAT

Night curfew, which was already in place in four cities, has been extended till April 15. According to the Gujarat government’s Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, there will be a 9 pm to 6 am curfew at Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot.

RAJASTHAN

Night curfew will be in force in the state from 8 pm to 6 am. Besides essential services, home delivery of food has been allowed.

CHHATTISGARH

Chhattisgarh has seen a steady jump in COVID cases over the last fortnight, forcing the state to take measures. Raipur apart, 10 districts have imposed night curfew, from 9 pm to 6 am, until further notice. They are Sarguja, Ambikapur, Surajpur, Durg, Bastar, Mahasamund, Rajnandgaon, Raigarh, Koriya and Sukma. Except for essential services, restaurants are allowed to have indoor dining up to 10 pm and take-home food delivery up to 11.30 pm.