UP govt issues order regarding relaxations from Monday

In conformity with the Union Home Ministry guidelines, the Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday issued orders regarding the relaxations to be given during the third phase of the coronavirus lockdown beginning Monday.

According to an official, the government accepted the definition of the zones as provided by the Centre.

He said everyone in the hotspots has been urged to download the Arogya Setu app.

The guidelines include the permission to increase working hours for factories having over 50 employees if both workers and owners agree, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Kumar Awasthi told reporters.

For marriages and performing the last rites only 20 persons will be allowed with a request that they will follow social distancing, he said, adding that the government has asked people over 65 years of age to stay home.

The liquor shops, which are not in shopping malls, can be opened from 10 am to 7 pm with social distancing norms in place to ensure that not over five persons are there at a time, he said.

"The detailed orders regarding relaxations have been sent to district magistrates and district police chiefs. This is exactly the same as issued by the Home Ministry for red, orange and green zones," Awasthi said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had asked officials to prepare a plan for the resumption of industrial activity in the state.

He asked the infrastructure and industrial development commissioner to prepare a work plan regarding labour reforms and the transfer of allowances into the bank accounts of beneficiaries of different government schemes, a statement read.

The chief minister said quarantine centres and community kitchens must be constantly monitored and there should be no laxity in this regard.

Referring to the labourers returning from other states, Adityanath said, "They should be properly screened at the quarantine centres. If found fit, they should be given food kits and allowed to proceed to their homes."
"Despite this, the state government has already paid salaries to its 16 lakh employees and pension to 12 lakh retired employees."