Coronavirus / U'khand imposes lockdown from May 11-May 18; shops to be open from 7am-10am

Dehradun: Uttarakhand government on Sunday decided to impose 'COVID Curfew' for a week across the state starting Tuesday, news agency ANI reported. State Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal said the curfew will remain in force between 6 am on May 11 and 6 am on May 18. He also said, essential services will be allowed during this period.

Uniyal further added, interstate travellers will now have to produce negative RT-PCR result not older than 72 hours and will have to register themselves on the Dehradun administration's portal.

"People of Uttarakhand coming from outside will have to undergo seven-day isolation," he said.

Indicating such measures, the minster had announced on Saturday that the state government is mulling some 'major decision' to curb the transmission.

He said on Saturday, "Covid-19 infection has reached villages of Uttarakhand. The level of transmission, despite corona curfew, is a matter of concern. To contain the spread, the government will take a major decision by 10 May."

The state government had earlier extended curfew in the three heavy caseload districts of Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar till 10 May. The curfew was imposed in the last week of April.

The order asked the DMs of the remaining 10 districts to assess the situation in their areas and impose a curfew till 5 am on 10 May, if required.

State to start vaccination of age group 18-44 tomorrow

On Sunday, Uniyal also said, the Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat will inaugurate the vaccination drive for people above 18 years of age tomorrow.

The state will start administering anti-Covid shots to people in the age group of 18 to 44 from Monday, informed the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Saturday.

Around 50 lakh people of this age group are to be inoculated for free in Uttarakhand during the drive. Originally scheduled to start on May 1, the drive could not begin on time due to the non-availability of vaccines.

Prime Minister speaks to Chief Minister

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Chief Minister to assess the coronavirus situation in the state. During the conversations, the prime minister also assured the state of all possible help to combat the deadly virus.

Later the chief minister said on Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up for an update on Covid cases in Uttarakhand. I apprised him with the present situation.