Partial corona curfew extended by a week

LUCKNOW : The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Saturday decided to extend the partial corona curfew in the state by another week till 7am on May 24. It also decided to begin online classes in all educational institutions, barring the basic education institutions, with effect from May 20.

The state cabinet also decided to distribute free ration (3kg wheat and 2 kg rice per month) to the poor for three months and disburse sustenance allowance of Rs 1,000 per month to the registered vendors, daily wagers, e-rickshaw drivers, barbers and boatmen.

An official press release

claimed that the decision on free ration would benefit about 15 crore people in the state and the sustenance allowance will help one crore beneficiaries.

The press release also said that the partial corona curfew was helping in containing the spread of Covid-19 in Uttar Pradesh. Previously, the government had decided to increase the duration of the partial corona curfew till 7am on May 17. It has been in force since April 30 evening.

In its press statement, the state government said it was already providing free testing and treatment of Covid-19, besides free Covid-19 vaccinariverbed, tion in the state. It said two social security schemes were being run for all the labourers in the state. A cover of Rs 2 lakh against any disability and health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh was being provided in the state, it added.

In line with the state cabinet decision, the state government issued instructions to start online classes from May 20 in all educational institutions, except in Classes 1 to 8.

The order has cleared the decks for resumption of online classes from Class 9 onwards to degree and post-graduate level in degree colleges and universities.

Earlier on May 10, the state government had announced that all schools up to Class 12 will remain closed till May 20 and there will be no online classes during this period.

Students from Classes 1 to 8 were exempt from online classes due to a surge in Covid-19 cases.