As COVID-19 cases continue to mount at a rapid pace across the country, the Uttar Pradesh Government has announce lockdown in Lucknow, Varanasi and three other cities in the State.
Lockdown has been imposed in as many as five cities in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India.
Lockdown in Uttar Pradesh cities of Lucknow, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Varanasi, Kanpur, Gorakhpur will begin from tonight till April 26.
Only essential services like grocery stores and pharmacies (with less than three staff members) has been allowed to open.
On the other hand, all religious activities and establishments in these five cities have been suspended or closed till the end of the lockdown period.
Also read: If COVID-19 cases rise exponentially, lockdown will be imposed in State: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal
Shopping complexes and malls will also remain closed in these five Uttar Pradesh cities during the lockdown period.
All institutions like educational institutions and other institutions relating to other disciplines and activities be it government, semi government or private shall also remain closed.
Notably, Uttar Pradesh is the second-worst affected State in India during the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier on Monday, Delhi Government had announced a 6-day lockdown in the National Capital.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made the announcement of lockdown in the National Capital on Monday.
A “strict lockdown” in Delhi will begin from 10 pm on April 19 and will continue till 5 am of to April 26.
Also read: Covid19 lockdown in Delhi; complete curfew from tonight
India, on Monday, registered 2,73,810 new COVID-19 positive cases.
1,619 fresh COVID-19 related deaths were also logged on Monday.
“Ten states including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan reported 78.58% of the new cases,” the Union health ministry said in a statement.