Andhra Pradesh: No permission needed for inter-district travel

Vijayawada: After two months of Covid-19 lockdown, people of Andhra Pradesh are now free to travel from one district to another without police restrictions from Saturday.

The state police on Saturday announced that the lockdown restrictions have been lifted and people can travel from one place to other place on two-wheelers and only three persons are allowed to travel in cars. Wearing masks is mandatory in the cars.

According to information, DGP D Gautam Sawang issued orders for lifting of lockdown restrictions on Saturday. It may be noted that the Union government has announced Lockdown 4.0 till May 31. But, the Andhra Pradesh government is gradually easing restrictions.

Initially, the RTC bus services have been restored with 17 per cent services resumed on May 21.

Later, lockdown restrictions were lifted on trading activity and traders are being allowed to run shops from 7 am to 7 pm in the non-containment zones. However, all restrictions continue in the containment zones for the trading activity. During the lockdown time, people faced many hardships and could not move from one district to other. Police also had a tough time in restricting the movement of the people particularly in cities like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati.

The State police also decided to give back the vehicles to the owners as the lockdown is lifted. Due to strict lockdown rules in the State, the police seized thousands of vehicles particularly two-wheelers in the State and collected penalty for violation of rules.

Under the Vijayawada Police Commissionerate, more than 7,000 vehicles were seized by the police during the lockdown. The vehicle owners can contact the police in respective police stations with documents to get back their vehicles.