Schools in Uttar Pradesh closed until January 14 amid COVID surge, night curfew extended by two hours

Along with the closure of schools, the Uttar Pradesh government also extended the night curfew by two hours.

With Uttar Pradesh reporting 992 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, the state government has ordered the closure of all schools up to Class 10 until January 14. The state government in its order also extended the night curfew by two hours. 

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a review meeting and said that from January 6, the night curfew will be extended by two hours and will now be followed from 10 pm to 6 am. Presently, the night curfew is observed from 11 pm to 5 am. “All government and private schools will remain closed up to class 10 till January 14. Currently, there is no district where active cases are more than 1,000 but as soon as that happens, gyms, spas, cinema halls, banquet halls, restaurants and other public places can be operated at only 50 per cent capacity,” said a government spokesperson.

As per the new guidelines, from tomorrow onwards, not more than 100 people will be allowed at any event, including weddings, if they are held in a closed hall or room. In open places, not more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the ground will be permitted. The government has also made it mandatory to use masks and sanitizers. 

The state government has directed that the Covid help desks should be set up in all government, quasi-government and private institutions, trusts, companies, historical monuments, offices, religious places, hotels, restaurants and industrial units. Where necessary, day care centers should be set up and nobody should be allowed into any premises without being screened first.
The state government will also be activating all monitoring committees and integrated command and control centers (ICCC). The monitoring committees will work under gram pradhans in rural areas and under the municipal councilor in urban areas. They will be required to go house to house and identify those who are to get vaccinated or whose second shot is due. Where necessary, they will also distribute medicine kits.

The chief minister also urged the public to not panic. “Alertness and caution are needed. People should be encouraged to wear masks, take vaccine and practice social distancing. This is the best first aid measure," he said.

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