NEW DELHI: The home ministry on Friday wrote to all the states and Union territories clarifying that night curfew restrictions do not apply to movement of passenger buses and trucks on national and state highways; persons travelling to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and flights; or cargo movement as part of maintaining supply chains and logistics.
The home ministry guidelines relating to Unlock 1.0 released on May 17, 2018, had mandated night curfew between 9 pm and 5 am, when movement of individuals would be strictly prohibited throughout the country, except for essential activities.
In a communication sent to all state chief secretaries and UT administrators on Friday, home secretary Ajay K Bhalla said it had come to the home ministry’s notice that some states/UTs were also restricting movement of persons and vehicles plying on highways between 9 pm and 5 am, “which is hindering their smooth passage”.
Underlining that the purpose of restricting movement of individuals, except for essential activities, between 9 pm and 5 am was primarily intended to prevent congregation of persons and to ensure social distancing, Bhalla clarified: “The restriction does not apply to instances of loading/unloading of goods (as part of supply chains and logistics); buses carrying persons and trucks and goods carriers plying on state and national highways; or persons travelling to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and flights”.
Accordingly, the home ministry has advised the states/UTs not to prevent the aforesaid movement. “Necessary instructions to this effect may please be issued to the district and local authorities,” the home secretary directed.
