UP, Punjab eases more Covid restrictions

UP  government on Tuesday announced additional relaxations in the Covid-induced restrictions, revising night curfew timings from June 21. The night curfew will be relaxed by two hours in the state and will now be effective from 9 pm to 7 am from June 21. Currently, the night curfew is being enforced from 7 pm to 7 am. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow,chief minister Yogi Adityanath said Restaurants can resume operations with 50 per cent seating capacity but will continue to follow all Covid protocols. Similarly, permission will be granted to open parks and street shops. However, the establishment of the Covid-19 help desk will be mandatory in these places.The markets and malls can now remain open till 9 pm instead of 7 pm.

In Punjab also, restaurants, cinema halls and gymnasiums in the state can open up and operate at 50 per cent capacity. Relaxing the curbs further, the Chief Minister  Amrinder Singh said that the cap on the number of guests allowed at weddings and cremations is being raised to 50. The restrictions will be eased from Wednesday onwards. The state government has not allowed bars and clubs to open yet and the night curfew from 8 pm to 5 am will continue to remain in place. The weekend curfew from 8 pm on Saturday and 5 am on Monday will also continue for now.  Healthcare services, shops dealing in essential commodities and industrial materials, construction, agricultural activities, petrol pumps and banking services will be exempted from the curfew restrictions.