Hyderabad: With the night clock set by the Telangana government to increase effective control COVID-19 cases in the state ending on Friday (April 30), speculation is mounting that a shutdown could be imposed.
The COVID-19 cases in Telangana do not show a declining trend, but vary. 7,646 new infections and 53 deaths were recorded Monday, the health department said in a bulletin. This is a slight decrease in the numbers of Thursday 7,994 cases and 58 deaths.
The Telangana High Court on Thursday called on the state government’s plan to extend the night clock or a full lock-in to curb the increase in COVID-19 incidents. The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Hima Kohli, also expressed his indignation at the habit of the state government to make the important decisions at the eleventh hour.
Attorney General BS Prasad informed the High Court bench that General Secretary Somesh Kumar will hold a meeting with district collectors and others on Friday morning, after which a decision will be made based on the shared input.
But the state authorities have repeatedly reiterated that a complete closure is ruled out, taking into account several issues. The director of public health, dr. G Srinivasa Rao, issued a statement on Wednesday explaining that the health department had not recommended the state government to apply a lock-in.
In addition, Interior Minister Mahmood Ali also said the government did not support a lockout as it would make the poor suffer. He said the prime minister would make a decision on Friday based on recommendations from the health ministry.
According to local reports, the authorities of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have started making arrangements, indicating that it has been excluded. As part of this, they are moving homeless footpath dwellers and beggars to night shelters.
A source in the GHMC said it was only a precaution to be ready if the government shut down at all.
Tamil Nadu on Thursday extended the night clock and the setting of Sunday ‘until further notice’. As Telangana is less than the worst affected neighbors Maharashtra and Karnataka, it is unlikely that a full closure will be instituted.
Source: The Siasat Daily