UP: Offices, Markets To Remain Closed On Weekends; Yogi Govt Decides Amid Surge In COVID-19 Cases

Markets and offices in Uttar Pradesh (UP) are going to remain closed on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) in order to prevent mass spread of novel coronavirus, the state government announced on Sunday (12 July).

However, banks and other industrial units will open as regular, said Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department Awanish K Awasthi, as reported by Hindustan Times.

“There will be complete restrictions on social activities in the weekends, the health and other government departments will carry out sanitisation, screening and cleanliness drives,” he said adding that government and private offices will open five days a week.

He added that movement of essential goods and commodities will, however, be allowed.

The state is currently under a three-day-long complete lockdown from 11-13 July, as announced by the government amid the rising numbers of coronavirus cases across UP.

According to Union Health Ministry's website, the state has so far reported 35,092 positive cases, out of which 11,490 are active patients. While 22,689 people have recovered from the viral disease, 913 patients have died.