HYDERABAD: Telangana on Tuesday became the first state in the country to extend the Covid-19 lockdown till May 29. Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting that lasted a marathon seven hours, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced that the state government would follow central guidelines on allowing activities except those in red zones. Also, the 7pm to 7am night curfew will continue across the state for the duration of the lockdown.

The chief minister said all the shops would now stay open in mandal headquarters and villages in the state. In municipal towns, only 50% shops would open with a lottery deciding which would remain open and which wouldn’t.

He added that a special meeting will be held on May 15 to review the situation after which some more relaxations would be given. These would include running RTC busses in green zones and opening a few more shops in Hyderabad.

“By then, we will have a clearer pictures from cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai,” he said. “Hyderabad and surrounding areas are in the red zone and every step would be taken for strict implementation of the lockdown.”

Private offices can function with 33% staff from today

The Centre’s notification put six districts — Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Vikarabad and Warangal (urban) — in the red zone, nine in green zone and 18 districts in orange zone. Suryapet and Vikarabad will become orange in a day or two, KCR said.

“The Centre has allowed buses to operate in green zones. The state would permit them only after May 15. On the other hand, autos, would be allowed in green zones and cabs in orange zones from Wednesday,” he said. The ban on religious congregations, meetings and processions will however continue.

While private offices can function with 33% staff from Wednesday, all state government offices would function with 100% staff. “Some departments such as stamps and registrations and RTA would start operating even if they are located in red zones,” KCR said. On the issue of migrant workers, he said 11 special trains were operated on Tuesday to send the workers to Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. KCR spoke to CMs of UP and Bihar after which arrangements were made, but the migrants would be sent back in phases.