VISAKHAPATNAM: The state government on Wednesday extended the ongoing Covid-19 night curfew till October 31.
However, the curfew timings have been relaxed to some extent. Curfew will now be implemented between 12 midnight and 5 am. Earlier, it was from 11 pm to 6 am.
According to the state government orders issued on Wednesday, all gatherings and congregations, including marriages, and religious gatherings will be permitted with a maximum of 250 participants. All the participants should comply with Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. Any violation will result in prosecution under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Section 188 of IPC. Collectors and police have been asked to strictly enforce the orders. The government also dispensed with the earlier orders of keeping distance and one seat empty between every two seats. The organisers of festivals or gatherings can revert to the pre-Covid-19 seating arrangements. The new orders would help the theatres to go for 100 per cent occupancy.
Meanwhile, the state reported 517 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, taking the cumulative caseload to 20,58,582. The toll increased to 14,276 as eight more people succumbed to the pandemic.
