Despite a clear directive from the Allahabad High Court to impose lockdown in five cities, the State Government clarified that in view to protect the livelihood of the poor, the Government will not go for complete lockdown. In a statement a government spokesman said here on Monday that the number of cases of corona has gone up and strictness is mandatory to control corona. “Government has taken many steps and in future it will take stricter decisions,” he said.The spokesman further said: “It s mandatory to save lives but it is equally important to save livelihood of the poor and therefore lockdown will not be imposed in cities. In many sectors people are willfully closing down their institutions.” There are indications that the state government will move the Supreme Court tomorrow.The High Court, earlier, came down heavily on the government and ordered lockdown in five cities with high case load till April 26 Earlier during the review meeting the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the Government is not in favor of complete lockdown like Delhi had announced on Monday. He said instead of complete lockdown , officials should be instructed to increase the availability of oxygen and strict action with those violating the Covid protocol.
With the Sunday lockdown in Uttar Pradesh, night curfew is already being imposed in more than 25 cities from eight o'clock in the night to seven in the morning. The officials hinted that there could be a weekend lockdown which could now start from Friday night instead of Saturday.