Coronavirus: Telangana Extends Lockdown In State Until 7 May, Rules Out Any Easing Of Curbs

The Telangana government has extended the lockdown in the state up to 7 May as part of its efforts to tackle the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19).

This is an additional four days to the nation-wide lockdown that will be in force till 3 May.

The state government’s move follows rising cases of the pandemic virus in some parts, especially capital Hyderabad, which accounts for a little over 30 per cent of the total positive cases.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has said that it would ask Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to extend the restriction in its limits up to May-end.

Rao, who heads the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government, said most of the relaxations on nation-wide curbs announced by the Centre from today (20 April) would not be implemented in Telangana.

“There is no chance of any kind of relaxation in the state despite the Centre announcing various exemptions,” the Chief Minister told a media conference on Sunday (19 April).

Even weddings will be permitted only after the restrictions are lifted after 7 May. He said permissions for all events would be given a month after all restrictions go from the state, adding that, if necessary, marriage halls would be used to store foodgrains.

The state cabinet will meet on 5 May to review the situation and decide on the lifting of lockdown in Telangana.

Rao said airlines, particularly domestic, will not be allowed to resume services from 4 May. He said people from other states can consider coming to Telangana after 7 May.

The Telangana Chief Minister said his cabinet had decided to extend the lockdown after considering all factors, including the spread of Covid-19 and ground realities.

He justified the state’s decision, saying under the Epidemic Disaster Management Act, his government has powers to act in tune with the prevailing situation.

In addition, the Telangana government has decided to ban food delivery services such as Swiggy and Zomato from today till 7 May.

Telangana accounts for 844 of the total 17,265 Coronavirus cases in India, with 18 persons succumbing to the pandemic. Nearly 79 per cent of the Covid-19 cases in the state have been traced to the Tablighi Jamaat Nizamuddin Aalami Markaz congregations last month in Delhi.