Telangana: KCR urges citizens to cooperate with state lockdown till March 31

After the centre announced the lockdown of five districts in Telangana, the state government has urged the public to cooperate with the government and asked not to gather five or more people anywhere. However, one person from a family will be permitted to go out in case of emergency, said KCR.

"It is unfortunate that the state has reported five more positive cases taking the total count to 26. Among the five, two have travel history from London, two from Dubai and one from Scotland," said KCR.

KCR also announced that the government will provide 12 kg rice per person at a free of cost for the white ration cardholders and they will be given Rs 1500 each. "Paper invigilation and other works related to the education department will also be postponed till March 31," added KCR.

As per the 1897 act, all the private, outsourcing, working labour will be provided wages by their companies and the government during the lockdown period, said the chief minister.

The chief minister also said that all the public and private transportation including buses, auto-rickshaws will be also closed. "All shops, commercial establishments, offices, factories, workshops, godowns etc shall close their operations. However, production and manufacturing units which require continuous process such as pharmaceuticals, API etc may function. Further, manufacturing units in the production of essential commodities like dal and rice mills, food and related units, dairy units, feed and fodder units will also be permitted to operate," the release said.

While the government offices, shops and other establishments should take steps to ensure social distancing such as through painting of foot marks at distances of 3 feet from each other near check out counters. KCR said that all inter-State borders of Telangana have been closed although vehicles carrying food items for the State would be allowed. He also announced that all wine shops, bars and pubs would also remain closed.

However, banks, atms, petrol bunks, postal, internet services, home delivery, take away, hospitals, diagnostic centres, optical stores, food items, groceries, mil and other transportation.