Ahmedabad declares night curfew amid rising COVID-19 cases

Pratham Chitlangiya

24th November 2020

Outside an Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation COVID Testing Clinic (Source: Jagran)

AHMEDABAD: In a letter dated 19.11.2020, the Ahmedabad Municipal corporation announced, "Today, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation declared night curfew from 9:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., every day, from tomorrow, in order to control the spread of COVID-19. The situation was reviewed late night, and it's been decided that complete curfew shall be imposed from tomorrow night 9:00 P.M. till Monday morning 6:00 A.M. within the city of Ahmedabad. During this time, only shops selling milk and medicines shall be permitted to stay open. It is further clarified by way of abundant caution that complete curfew is imposed in the city of Ahmedabad from 9:00 P.M. on 20.11.2020 to 6:00 A.M. on 23.11.2020. The night curfew every day from 9:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. shall continue thereafter, as well."

The letter was duly signed by IAS Dr Rajiv Kumar Gupta. Moreover, on the 23rd of November 2020, night curfew in Ahmedabad was introduced, which would go up to the 7th of December. The night curfew was already in action since the 21st of November in Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat. The rules have exempted personnel of police, fire and emergency services, watch-men, media outlets, private security agencies alongside services like distribution of milk and water, doctors, medical personnel, LPG distribution etc. The revised guidelines further state that only 100 people will be allowed to attend a marriage function, while the maximum capacity for a funeral remains 50. No function, including wedding or other ceremonies, are going to be permitted between 9 P.M. and 6 A.M. in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat.

The curfew decision came hours after Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment, Rajiv Kumar Gupta, who is responsible for the COVID-19 situation in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), announced an indefinite night curfew from Friday. The Gujarat government also decided to place on hold the reopening of faculties and colleges from November 23. "We have withdrawn the choice to reopen schools and colleges from November 23 for now. It will be decided in due course," Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said. According to the AMC, as on Thursday, 2,237 beds were vacant in government hospitals and 400 privately hospitals. For additional support services, the 108 ambulance vehicles too were increased from 20 to 40.

(Source: The Hindu, Times Now, Indian Express, NDTV)

Edited by: Aditi Anilkumar