Announcement likely on further lockdown today

The Delhi government is likely to extend the ongoing lockdown in the Capital by another week, state officials aware of the matter told HT on Saturday.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a lockdown on April 19 (after a weekend curfew on April 17 and 18), and the protocol has now been renewed several times.

The ongoing lockdown is scheduled to be in place till at least 10am on May 17, but the government is likely to order an issue on Sunday to extend it till May 24, the officials cited above, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

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 approved the UP Oxygen Production Promotion Policy-2021 for an increase in oxygen production in the state to ensure its availability in the treatment of Covid-19.

The state cabinet decided to begin online classes in all educational institutions, barring the basic education institutions, with effect from May 20.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the virtual meeting of the state cabinet that also decided to distribute free ration (3kg wheat and 2kg rice per month) to the poor for three months.

An official press release claimed that the decision on free ration would benefit about 15 crore people in the state.

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.

The state cabinet decided to disburse sustenance allowance of Rs 1,000 per month to the registered vendors, daily wagers, e-rickshaw drivers, barbers and boatmen etc. The decision will benefit one crore (10 million) people.

In its press statement, the state government said it was already providing free testing and treatment of Covid-19, besides free Covid-19 vaccination 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.

UP government instructed to start online classes from May 20 in all educational institutions, except in Classes 1 to 8.