Madhurima
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh will continue with the lockdown and relaxations suggested by the Centre won't be implemented now in the state because of the prevailing situation.
"It is crucial for us to contain the amount of COVID-19 cases. There are already 19 such districts where there are 20 or more cases. Three cases also surfaced in Prayagraj, where there had not been any new case for some days. The govt. has already permitted shops selling essential goods, like groceries and medicines, and 11 types of industries are being allowed to function, but we'll not be permitted any further to open up at this time. things are going to be reviewed in a few days," said a senior government official late evening Saturday.
Also Read: Coronavirus Update: Total Case Tally At 24,942 With 779 Deaths
On Saturday, Sant Kabir Nagar district was added to the list of 18 districts for which nodal officers got appointed.
Additional Chief Secretary Avanish Awasthi said that the decision was taken after the Chief Minister reviewed the lockdown situation.
"Nodal officers got appointed for this district as well and officers have been asked to reach there at the earliest," he said.
The nodal officers for every one of the districts include one from the administration, senior police personnel and one from the health department. They got asked to remain in their respective districts for a minimum of a week to assess the lockdown situation, condition of quarantine shelters, food distribution mechanism and preparedness at the hospitals.
The state has about 389 hotspots from where even one case has been reported, which are completely sealed and no activity is permitted. Only medical experts, sanitisation staff and doorstep delivery personnel are allowed into these areas.
Awasthi said that about 90-95 per cent COVID-19 cases have got reported from the hotspots but the Chief Minister has been clear that even in districts where no fresh cases have been reported, no leniency in the lockdown is going to be permitted.
Meanwhile, as many as 157 new cases of Covid-19 infection were reported in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, taking the overall tally within the state to 1,778.
Principal secretary, medical and health, Amit Mohan Prasad said, "Till now, 248 Covid-19 patients got discharged in the state, while 26 deaths have taken place."
Also Read: Strictly No Public Gatherings In UP Till June 30: Yogi
He said that 57 of the state's 75 districts have to this point reported coronavirus cases.
