UP Weekend Lockdown: Yogi Govt Lifts Sunday Curfew, Markets To Remain Open On Weekends

In the wake of decline in COVID-19 cases in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced that the weekend curfew on Sunday will not be imposed anymore.

UP Lockdown (Image: getty)

New Delhi: In the wake of decline in COVID-19 cases in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced that the weekend curfew on Sunday will not be imposed anymore. The markets will open normally like weekdays. 

In a statement, the Uttar Pradesh government said all markets can reopen normally across the state, but would need to follow appropriate COVID-19 norms and guidelines. The decision was taken during a meeting of CM’s ‘Team-9’ today.

A number of women organisations had urged the Chief Minister to lift the Sunday curfew in view of the Raksha Bandhan on August 22. Cinema hall owners also demanded the state government to end the weekly closure since it was affecting cinema business.

The government spokesman said that markets will now observe their earlier weekly closure on designated days. 

Earlier this month, Yogi govt ended Saturday Curfews under weekend lockdown after Covid cases in the state started coming down.

As per the revised order issued by State Additional Chief Secretary Home Avnish Awasthi, general public can now stay normal from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. The order clearly states that people must use masks, sanitizers and follow social distancing. 

The Uttar Pradesh government had imposed a strict corona curfew across state after India was hot by the second wave of deadly Covid-19 earlier this year in April-May. With time, the state govt relaxed lockdown rules in phased manner after state started to report decline in Coronavirus cases.