A healthcare worker collecting a swab sample for Covid-19 testing at RML hospital in Lucknow

Covid curfew in Uttar Pradesh extended till May 24; relief measures announced for ration card holders

While announcing a slew of relief measures for ration card holders and daily wage workers, the Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday extended the statewide Covid curfew till May 24.

Restrictions aimed at breaking the chain of Covid-19 transmission in Uttar Pradesh have been extended till May 24. The decision was taken during a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by CM Yogi Adityanath on Saturday.

A press statement said the UP government has been making arrangements for Covid testing and treatment free of cost. The vaccination drive being carried out at the state’s expense is also underway, adds the statement.

Uttar Pradesh reported 12,547 new confirmed cases of infection on May 15, along with another 28,404 recoveries. A total of 2.56 lakh samples were tested for infection in the state in the last 24 hours. UP now has 1,77,643 active cases.

A total of 2.56 lakh samples were tested for infection in the state in the last 24 hours.

Apart from basic education, all educational institutions in the state have been asked to conduct online classes till May 20.

In addition, all healthcare workers in the state will be provided life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh and health insurance of Rs 5 lakh.

Financial aid, ration for ration card holders

The state government on Saturday decided to give away 3 kg of wheat and 2 kg of rice each month to ration card holders for the next three months. Officials say this initiative will benefit as many as 15 crore people, who hold ration cards of Antodaya and eligible household category.

Daily wage workers, street vendors, e-rickshaw drivers, washer men/women, barbers, cobblers and other such workers will be given Rs 1,000 as financial aid by the UP government. This, say officials, will benefit another 1 crore people living in Uttar Pradesh.