After a gap of six months, the Rajasthan government has once again imposed Sunday curfew amidst a surge in Covid-19 cases in the state.

The decision to reintroduce curbs on peoples’ movement from 11 pm on Saturdays till 5 am on Mondays was taken last week to stop the spread of the disease.

During the curfew period, all markets, workplaces and commercial complexes will remain closed, government guidelines stated. Only shops selling essential goods, petrol pumps and pharmacies are allowed to open.

All tourist places, tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries will remain closed during the weekend curfew period.

The government revised Covid guidelines and introduced stricter measures during weekdays as well to keep infections in check. Schools in urban areas will be closed till January 30, 2022.

Shops, malls and other commercial establishments will be allowed to be open till 8 pm, while restaurants and clubs can operate till 10 pm with 50 per cent of seating capacity, according to the guidelines.

Cinema halls, multiplexes, amusement parks, banquet halls etc will have to operate with 50 per cent occupancy and close by 8 pm.

A maximum of 100 people are permitted at marriage functions, but this cap will be at 50 for those in municipal corporation and municipality areas till January 30.

All religious places will remain open till 8 pm, but offerings like garlands, prasad, chadar and other things are banned.

Night curfew is already in force in the state from 11 pm to 5 am daily.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has appealed to people to restrict their movement to the bare minimum possible and to follow the guidelines so that the spread of the virus could be contained.

Rajasthan on Friday reported 10,307 fresh Covid-19 cases and three more deaths, according to a state health department bulletin.

As many as 2,549 new infections were reported from Jaipur, 1,027 from Alwar, 801 from Jodhpur, 735 from Udaipur, 615 from Bikaner, and 576 from Bharatpur. The number of active cases in the state stands at 52,773.