The Tripura government has announced extension in the restriction of public movement across all 20 urban local bodies including Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) areas after the state recorded the highest single day spike of 247 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

From Tuesday, the new night curfew timing will be enforced between 6 pm and 5 am every day. Currently restrictions are in place from 10 pm to 5 am.

Speaking at a press conference, education minister and cabinet spokesperson Ratan Lal Nath said that the state government has decided to change the timings keeping in mind the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Nath stated that, ‘On April 25, a total of 98 people tested positive; on April 26, the number was 111; 166 on April 28; 141 on April 29; 173 on April 30; and 247 on May 1 in the state. Therefore, the state government cannot remain silent and some new decisions were required to be taken immediately’.

The decision to change the night curfew timing in Agartala and impose restrictions on other urban local bodies including Agartala Municipal Corporation, 13 municipal councils and six nagar panchayat areas have been taken to contain the virus, later he added.