CM Yogi announces 2 days weekend lockdown in UP

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced for a weekend lockdown in the state from Friday night to Monday morning.

The weekend lockdown will start from 2100 hours of Friday and will end at 0600 hours on Monday every week.

The decision was taken at the Team 11 meeting which was virtually chaired by CM on Tuesday morning.

During the weekend lockdown period, along with the continuation of the much-needed emergency services, a massive campaign of sanitisation will also be run in the urban and rural areas.

Mr Adityanath in the review meeting said, “We are committed to safeguarding the life and livelihood of every citizen.  Due to the lockdown in the state, there could be livelihood crisis in front of anyone, that is why we have decided to implement the Corona curfew strictly based on the circumstances of the present situation.”

The state will now be closed two days a week. Now everything will be closed except the essential services here. During lockdown, fogging, sanitisation and cleanliness campaign will be carried out all over the state.

The Chief Minister in the meeting gave several directions to his Team-11members comprising senior officials.

He said, “Our biggest weapon is restraint and patience amidst this catastrophe of Covid-19.  The weekly bandh (corona curfew) will be effective in the state on every Saturday and Sunday. Apart from this, in the districts where there are more than 500 active cases, every day activities will be restricted except for essential services from 08 PM to 07 AM the next day. This rule should be implemented with immediate effect.”

He said every citizen contributes to make the Corona curfew a success. As far as necessary, do not get out of the house.  Celebrate festivals at home. If you come out, then definitely apply mask. Do not get in crowded in public places. It should be strictly implemented.

Mr Adityanath said migrants in large numbers are returning from Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Delhi. Special vigilance is required in the border districts. Arrangements should be made for smooth movement of these migrant workers/laborers. Take necessary action by coordinating Home Department and Transport Department. There should be proper arrangement for testing and treatment of these migrant laborers.

He said vaccination is most effective in protecting from Covid infection. Covid vaccination campaign has been conducted better in Uttar Pradesh till now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented the system of vaccination for all people above the age of 18 from May 1. His decision is welcome. This new phase of vaccination will prove decisive in the fight with Covid.  All necessary arrangements should be ensured for major vaccination starting May 1.

The state government is constantly taking steps to reduce the Covid infection amidst the changing circumstances. Covid dedicated hospitals are being extended in all districts. ICUs and isolation beds are increasing every day. Adequate availability of all medical needs including oxygen is being ensured in the state. Do not get carried away by runoff.

CM said there is a need to double the number of Covid beds in all districts of the state including Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Meerut districts. Immediately, 200-200 beds should be expanded in all districts. These beds should be equipped with oxygen facilities. In this way, about 15,000 beds will be increased in 75 districts immediately.  Deployment of an officer of Secretary level should be done for the purpose of bed expansion in the state. This work should be done with the highest priority. Medical education minister and health minister should communicate with all district administrations in this regard and ensure action. (UNI)