COVID-19 surge: Delhi along with 5 more states imposes night curfew to prevent the spread; check details

Night curfew has been imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till 30 April in the wake of the COVID situation, the Delhi government said on Tuesday.

The announcement comes after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal decided to impose the restrictions following a detailed discussion with senior state government functionaries earlier in the day -- a move to curb the increasing menace of the pandemic which so far has infected 3,548 people in 15 days.

Kejriwal on Friday had said that the national capital was going through the fourth wave of Covid-19. However, so far no decision has been taken to impose lockdown in the city by the government.

"A night curfew has been imposed in the national capital from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. till April 30 from immediate effect. The decision has been taken considering surge in Covid-19 cases," said a Delhi government statement.

The number of coronavirus cases in Delhi has been rapidly rising over the last couple of days. On Monday, the national capital reported 3,548 new cases and 15 deaths.

Five other states have also imposed night curfew to curb COVID-19:

Night curfew in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik on Monday said a night curfew would be in place across the state from 8 pm to 7 am. On weekends, a complete lockdown (8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday) will be imposed. The restrictions came into effect from 5 April. However, essential, medical services and transportation will be allowed. The curbs will also include a ban on gatherings of five or more people throughout the day.

Odisha imposes night curfew in 10 districts

Odisha government on Monday imposed night curfew in 10 districts of the state in view of the recent spike in coronavirus cases as 573 people tested positive for the infection, the highest single-day increase so far this year, pushing its tally to 3,43,268, a health department official said.Night curfew has been imposed from 10 pm to 5 am in Sundergarh, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts.

Night curfew in Rajasthan

As per the guidelines, the night curfew will remain in force from 8 pm to 6 am. Dining at restaurants and hotels during the curfew hours has been prohibited while home delivery of food has been allowed.

Night curfew in Gujarat

The Gujarat government has decided to extend the night curfew in force in four major cities till 15 April. The night curfew will continue in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot between 9 pm and 6 am till 15 April, according to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Gujarat government.

Night curfew in Punjab

Punjab government had ordered to extend the existing Covid-19-related restrictions till 10 April to curb spread of the virus. Under the revised guidelines, the government decided to extend the night curfew from nine to 11 such districts, including Ludhiana, Patiala, where the cases of infection are rising. The curfew will remain in place from 9 pm to 5am.