Telangana imposes complete lockdown: What’s allowed, what’s not

#covid19 #COVID19Restrictions #Lockdown

Telangana imposed a complete 10-day lockdown to break the chain of transmission
All activities, within the COVID-19 protocols, have been permitted from 6 AM to 10 AM daily
Telangana govt has planned to call for global tenders to increase the supply of vaccines in the state

Written By:

Updated: May 11 2021 02:38:28 AM ET Hyderabad, Telangana, India

After a sudden upswing in coronavirus infections, the government of Telangana on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown in the state from Wednesday, May 12.

All activities, within the COVID-19 protocols, have been permitted from 6 AM to 10 AM daily. Telangana has imposed a complete 10-day lockdown to break the chain of transmission of coronavirus.

In a related development, the government of Telangana has planned to call for global tenders to increase the supply of vaccines in the state. According to updates, the Telangana government is likely to start the vaccination drive for those above 18 from June.

Also Read | Telangana imposes 10-day complete lockdown

At the cabinet meeting held at the residence of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao today, the decision to enforce the lockdown was made.

The opinion is divided among people on the question of imposing #lockdown. Some reports suggest that the number of #Covid19 cases has not come down in some of the Indian States despite the clamping of lockdown whereas some sections argue in favour of lockdown.

— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) May 10, 2021

Two weeks ago, the Telangana government had enforced a night curfew, but experts insisted that complete lock-down is necessary to monitor the spread of coronavirus. CM KCR had ruled out the lock-down in Telangana at the beginning of last week stating that a complete lock-down would damage the state economy.

What/Who will be exempted?

1. All essential services like hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic labs, among others.

2. All essential healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, COVID warriors etc.

3. Essential Non-health care workers, for example, media persons, petrol pump workers among others.

Also Read | Telangana reports 4,826 cases; 32 dead

What can be opened? (From 6 AM to 10 AM)

1. Banks, insurance offices, and ATM

2. Home delivery of essential items

3. Telecommunication, internet services, broadcasting, and cable services

4. Sale of vegetables and fruits through pushcarts

5. Shops selling food and groceries including fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, and animal fodder

6. Milk booths and Hopcom outlets

What will remain closed?

1. All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, stadia, playgrounds, swimming pools, parks, entertainment parks, clubs, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls, and similar places.

2. Hotels, restaurants, and hospitality services will remain closed.

3. All social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/ religious functions/ other gatherings and large congregations will be prohibited.

4. Schools, colleges, educational/coaching institutions will remain closed.

5. All religious places/places of worship shall be closed to the public.

6. No vehicles will be allowed to be used by persons for taking parcels/takeaway.

The State Cabinet has decided to impose #lockdown for 10 days starting 10 am tomorrow. The lockdown will be relaxed from 6 am to 10 am daily for all the activities. The Council of Ministers has also decided to invite global tenders for procuring #Covid19 vaccine.

— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) May 11, 2021

All the southern states will be under lockdown from tomorrow, with the exception of Andhra Pradesh, where a partial curfew has been imposed. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are shut down till May 24. The lockdown in Kerala is until 16 May.

Most states have been locked down to prevent infection transmission. India is suffering from a deadly second wave of coronavirus. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with a severe scarcity of medical oxygen and essential medicines necessary for the treatment of Covid patients.

Also read: WHO warns against use of Ivermectin for COVID-19 patients

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended last month that lockdowns be used as a last resort while concentrating on micro-containment zones, and following of COVID-19 protocols, in order to break the transmission chain.

As of Tuesday, Telangana recorded 4,826 fresh COVID-19 cases — taking the tally to over half-a-million — while the death toll stood at 2,771 with 35 more casualties.