Amid a record spike in coronavirus cases, the Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to close all private and government establishments in Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur and Gorakhpur till April 26, ANI reported. Establishments offering essential services will be exempt from the restrictions, the court said in its order. 

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Uttar Pradesh on Sunday recorded its highest single-day rise in COVID-19 cases and fatality count with 30,596 fresh infections and 129 deaths.

The tally took the state’s total caseload to 8,51,620, with the death toll stading at 9,830. 

Of the fresh cases, Lucknow reported 5,551 cases followed by 2,011 from Varanasi, 1,839 from Kanpur and 1,711 from Allahabad.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked Medical Education Minister Suresh Khanna the current situation of oxygen supply in the state. Currently in isolation after contracting the virus, Adityanath on Sunday held a review meeting with officials to ensure a steady supply of oxygen and other essentials amid a huge surge in demand.   

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Earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a six-day lockdown in the national capital amid a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases. The lockdown will be in effect from 10 pm Monday till 5 am on April 26. 

There are reports Uttar Pradesh is also considering imposing similar restrictions.