The local government in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh announced that night curfew would be re-imposed across the state in wake of the omicron fears, local media reported Friday.
The night curfew would remain in force from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am local time and would be enforced from Saturday.
Media reports said the decision was taken by the state's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after chairing a Covid-19 review meeting, reports Xinhua.
"In several states of the country, COVID-19 cases are rising and under these circumstances, it is important to take some steps," local media quoted the chief minister as having said.
The chief minister directed the reintroduction of restrictions on gathering at weddings and other public events to 200 with strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.
Reports said the chief minister asked officials to publicise the "no mask, no shopping" message for traders and shopkeepers.
"The shopkeepers should not sell anything to customers without face masks. Police should enhance patrolling, make public address system more effective to publicize safety norms and protocols," the chief minister was quoted as having said. "Mask wearing must be made mandatory for movement on roads and in markets."
Officials have also been asked to ensure that all those arriving in Uttar Pradesh from abroad, and other states, are properly tested for COVID-19.
Uttar Pradesh becomes the second state, after Madhya Pradesh, to impose night-time restrictions.
"After five months, the number of COVID-19 positive cases has increased to 30 in a day. No case of Omicron has been reported from Madhya Pradesh so far but we can't take the risk as the positivity rate of neighbouring states is increasing," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday evening. "We are imposing night curfew in MP from 11:00 pm to 8:00 am local time. If required, more restrictions will be invoked in the state."
