India: Officials modify overnight curfews in northern states as varied coronavirus curbs continue through Jan. 31 /update 8

Event

Officials in Himachal Pradesh have lifted nightly curfews in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts as of Jan. 7. However, authorities in Rajasthan State, and union territories of Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir continue to impose nightly curfews due to increased coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. All north Indian regions are also extending COVID-19 restrictions through Jan. 31, per central government guidelines. Businesses and transport services remain largely operational. However, strict controls on nonessential activity will continue in areas with a significant number of COVID-19 cases through at least Jan. 31. Under these measures, movement from affected areas remains restricted only to select transit points and for essential purposes. All public transport and nonessential private transport remain banned. Businesses - mainly those providing essential services - may operate with minimal numbers of employees. Residents must stay home and use delivery services to the extent possible.

Other nationwide measures continue until further notice. People must wear facemasks in public and practice social distancing; violators are typically fined. Indoor public gatherings over 200 people are banned. International travel is limited to approved charter and commercial flights connecting "air bubble" destinations. International arrivals typically undergo a seven-day institutional quarantine followed by a week of home quarantine; exemptions are available for those entering with negative results of a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Due to concerns about a new COVID-19 strain, officials are also implementing enhanced health monitoring, as well as on-arrival or post-arrival testing requirements for entrants from Europe, the UK, Middle East, and South Africa. Current or planned measures include:

• Chandigarh: Those not wearing facemasks in public will be fined INR 1,000 (USD 14). Nightly curfew and limits on operating hours for hospitality venues are no longer applicable. Most businesses are functioning with a reduced workforce and social distancing measures. Asymptomatic domestic passengers entering the state are not required to undergo any testing or quarantine.

• Chhattisgarh: Businesses and transport are largely operational; recreational venues such as parks, tourist sites, and cinemas are open with social distancing measures. Asymptomatic domestic passengers entering the state are not required to undergo any testing or quarantine.

• Delhi: Gatherings are limited to 50 people; violators of COVID-19 guidelines, such as wearing facemasks in public, will be fined INR 2,000 (USD 27). Authorities have relaxed business and transport measures in noncontainment zones. Asymptomatic domestic passengers entering the state are not required to undergo any testing or quarantine.

• Haryana: Officials have relaxed indoor and outdoor gathering limits to 200 people and 500 people, respectively. Business and transport restrictions may recur in districts of the National Capital Region, including Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak, and Sonipat in case of a spike in COVID-19 activity. Asymptomatic domestic passengers entering the state and planning to stay for over 72 hours may serve the mandatory 14-day quarantine at their residence.

• Himachal Pradesh: Night curfews are no longer in place across Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts effective Jan. 5. All indoor gatherings in the state must involve no more than 100 participants. Those who fail to wear facemasks in public or join gatherings that breach participant limits may be subject to imprisonment and/or fines of up to INR 5,000 (USD 68). Asymptomatic domestic passengers entering the state are not required to undergo any testing or quarantine.

• Jammu and Kashmir: Nonessential activity remains banned 2200-0500 daily until further notice. Although sports facilities, religious sites, businesses, and transport services are open, curbs on timings and capacity are possible in case of increased COVID-19 activity, especially in high-risk zones of Lakhanpur and Jawahar Tunnel. Weddings may involve up to 100 guests. All passengers entering the state must undergo mandatory testing upon arrival unless they hold negative results of an RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours prior to entry; asymptomatic travelers may quarantine at home until results arrive, while symptomatic travelers will quarantine at a designated facility. Asymptomatic visitors exiting the territory within 96 hours of arrival are exempt from quarantine.

• Ladakh: A nightly curfew will be applicable across Leh District 2000-0500 until further notice; all vehicles may only operate with 50-percent passenger capacity, while all gatherings involving more than four people require prior permission. All entrants to the union territory must carry negative results of an RT-PCR COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours prior to arrival. Other entrants must undergo testing upon entry, as well as a mandatory quarantine for at least seven days in a designated facility or residence, depending on their medical assessment.

• Madhya Pradesh: Nightly curfews 2200-0600 no longer apply across Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Ratlam, and Vidisha districts, effective 2200 Dec. 31. Most businesses, transport services, recreational facilities such as cinemas, and limited educational institutions are open. Asymptomatic domestic passengers entering the state are not required to undergo any testing or quarantine.

• Punjab: Those not wearing facemasks in public will be fined INR 1000 (USD 14). Nightly curfews 2200-0500, and the closure of wedding halls as well as dine-in facilities such as restaurants and pubs by 2130 are no longer applicable effective Jan. 1. Asymptomatic travelers to the state are subject to a mandatory five-day quarantine; international arrivals must undergo institutional quarantine. Symptomatic arrivals may require prolonged quarantine at medical facilities. Travelers with negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test results obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival, as well as domestic travelers leaving the state within 72 hours of arrival, are exempted.

• Rajasthan: Officials have extended nightly curfews 2000-0600 across Alwar, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Ganganagar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Nagore, Pali, Sikar, Tonk, and Udaipur cities through 0600 Jan. 15. Businesses must close by 1900 daily, except for essential shops, and permitted industries like IT offices and factories with continuous or night production. Movement of cargo, as well as transit to and from permitted gatherings or transport hubs, are allowed during curfew hours. Gatherings must involve no more than 100 people. Asymptomatic domestic passengers entering the state are not required to undergo any testing or quarantine.

• Uttarakhand: Businesses may function on weekends. Entrants via air routes must register online beforehand and undergo self-paid testing upon arrival if not holding negative results of a COVID-19 test. All asymptomatic entrants without prior test results must undergo a 10-day home quarantine; symptomatic passengers may quarantine at designated facilities for a prolonged period according to their medical assessment. Exempted travelers include those with a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours prior to arrival, those intending to stay for less than seven days in the state, as well as returnees who have stayed outside the state for less than five days. Those entering Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Nainital via road or rail must also undergo on-arrival testing.

• Uttar Pradesh: Authorities have reduced gathering limits in Ghaziabad and Noida cities to 100 people. Air passengers must register online prior to arrival. Domestic travelers must serve a 14-day home quarantine unless planning to exit the state within seven days of arrival or returning to the state within five days of exit. Business and transport restrictions may recur in Baghpat, Bulandshahr, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, and Shamli districts of the National Capital Region, in case of a continued spike in COVID-19 activity.

Emergency and utility services remain operational nationwide. While banks and businesses selling essential goods, such as fuel, food, and medicines, remain open in containment zones, officials will almost certainly regulate price, supply, and opening hours. Panic-buying and associated localized shortages of essential goods may occur in some areas. Sporadic clashes are possible if groups attempt to enforce business closures or defy official orders. Police may forcibly disperse unruly crowds. Violators may face legal action. Authorities could modify restrictions at short notice, mainly in major cities.

Context

The measures adopted by the Indian government are similar to actions taken by other regional governments in recent days in response to the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions; minimize outdoor activity to the extent possible. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm business appointments, deliveries, work, and travel arrangements. Do not check out of accommodation without confirming onward travel. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Ensure access to essential items, plan for queues, and delays at available shopping centers. Carry proper identification documents and heed all security advisories.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Help Page
Chandigarh Union Territory COVID-19 Portal
Chhattisgarh State Government COVID-19 Portal
Delhi Union Territory Health and Family Welfare Department
Haryana State COVID-19 Portal
Ladakh Union Territory COVID-19 Portal
Madhya Pradesh State Government COVID-19 Portal
Punjab State Government Portal
Rajasthan State Government COVID-19 Portal
Uttarakhand State Domestic Traveler Registration
Uttarakhand State International Traveler Registration
Uttar Pradesh State Air Traveler Registration
World Health Organization (WHO)