As the number of new Covid-19 infections in Gujarat continues to rise, with 21,225 cases and 16 deaths reported on Friday, the state government announced the extension of the night curfew (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) to 17 more cities, bringing the total number of cities under night curfew to 27.
The decision to extend the curfew restrictions was taken during a Covid review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The timings of the night curfew remains the same — from 10 pm to 6 am. The night curfew remains in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The government has also relaxed hotel and restaurant regulations by allowing 24-hour home delivery of food. They can also operate at 75% capacity until 10 p.m.
Notably, the government had previously imposed night curfew in eight metros — Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Gandhinagar — and two cities (Anand and Nadiad).
The night curfew will also be imposed in Surendranagar, Dhrangradhra, Morbi, Wankaner, Dhoraji, Gondal, Jetpur, Kalawad, Godhra, Vijalpore (Navsari), Navsari, Bilimora, Vyarav, Vyapar, Bharuch and Ankleshwar, the new guidelines show.
According to the state home department’s notification, essential services are permitted during the night curfew, and all other restrictions remain in effect. Shops, shopping complexes, marketing yards, salons, spas, and beauty parlours, among others, are permitted to remain open until 10 p.m., while political, social, and religious gatherings are permitted with a maximum of 150 people at a venue in an open space, with the number not exceeding 50% of the capacity of an enclosed space.
Funerals are limited to 100 mourners, according to the notification. The night curfew has been lifted for bus transportation, and buses can now carry up to 75% of their passengers. It was stated that cinema halls, water parks, gyms, swimming pools, auditoriums, libraries, and other similar establishments are permitted to operate at 50% of their capacity.