Telangana will not impose lockdown, will ramp up testing: KCR on rising Covid-19 cases

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has stated that a Covid-19 lockdown would not be reimposed in the state in haste.

The state has reported 518 new Covid-19 positive cases on Friday, the highest figure this year.

157 of these fresh infections are from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area.

Speaking in the state assembly on Friday, CM Rao sought to allay the fears of the industry especially film-entertainment and said that the shutdown of schools and colleges now is also temporary.

Read | All exams postponed in Telangana due to Covid-19

“I would like to state it clearly to the public that we would not go for a lockdown again. Industries would not be closed,” Rao assured while adding that his government is taking all measures like increasing the testing to avoid an eruption in cases.

Following the passage of the appropriation bill, the Telangana legislative assembly was adjourned sine die.

With the Covid-19 cases shooting up again after a three-month letup, especially in schools and hostels, Rao's government closed all the educational institutions from Wednesday.

Also Read | Telangana shuts schools, colleges as daily new Covid-19 cases breach 400-mark

Osmania etc universities have suspended their examination schedule, while the University of Hyderabad has paused “until further notice” the return of students, research scholars to the campus. A fortnight ago, the central university administration decided to allow the return of about 2000 terminal semester students “if they wished to do so.”

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, where the daily new cases fell below the 100-mark for several days recently, has on Friday reported 958 cases. AP had recorded such intensity in the virus spread last time in November.