States relax some curbs as lockdown nears deadline

JAIPUR: Rajasthan became the first state to allow free movement of people within the state between 7 am and 7 pm, except in containment zones, as states began relaxing norms a week before the third phase of the federal lockdown draws towards its scheduled end on May 17.

“No pass will be required for interdistrict and within district movement of people between 7 am and 7 pm except in areas under curfew,” announced chief minister Ashok Gehlot after a meeting with MLAs and MPs.

Gehlot authorised the district and subordinate officers to issue passes to people to travel by bus or train to other states and containment zones. Earlier, the state home department had this power. The new travel guideline also made a 14 day quarantine mandatory for any person entering the state. The guidelines also allowed district officers to give permission to run industries.

While the Telangana government has extended the lockdown till May 29, it has given additional relaxations for companies and industries located in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area, a red zone. They resumed operations on Monday.

Cyberabad Commissioner of Police, VC Sajjannar, said industry owners have been allowed to use 33% manpower in a phased manner. “This 33% of strength is across all shifts, critical operations, night hours etc,” he said.

In Gujarat, the government decided to make the delivery of essential goods to home cashless from May 15, the first state to do so. “As a part of preparation strategy post lockdown, all retails and home deliveries agencies have been asked to get 100% screening of the staff,” said an official order.

The order said that to prevent Covid-19 spread through currency notes, it has been made mandatory to accept digital mode of payment through unified payment interface and other platforms. So far, Gujarat has nearly 7,000 Covid-19 positive cases.

In Uttarakand, the government has allowed shops to function between 7 am and 4 pm, an extra three hours from this week. Government spokesperson and minister, Madan Kaushik, said, “We have increased the time limit of the opening of shops from 7 am to 4 pm in the state and more industries have been allowed to start operations.”

However, Kerala, which has seen a new spurt of cases with expats returning, has decided against any relaxation for the time being. With train services resuming, it expects more cases.