HYDERABAD: Lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Telangana has been extended till June 30. The Telangana government said that it has decided to implement the guidelines issued by the central government regarding the relaxations of lockdown outside the containment zones with effect from June 8.

A decision to this effect was taken by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao after holding discussions with senior officials including chief secretary Somesh Kumar and director general of police M Mahender Reddy on Sunday afternoon.

The government also announced the removal of restrictions on inter-state transport.

The night curfew presently being implemented from 7 pm to 7 am has now been changed and instead curfew remains from 9 pm to 5 am, as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs. No shops, establishments, except hospitals and pharmacies, will be allowed to remain open after 8 pm.

In respect of containment zones, provisions of lockdown order, which are currently being enforced, will also be extended till June 30.

In his orders, the chief secretary said there would be no restrictions on inter-state movement of persons with immediate effect and no separate permission would be required for such inter-state movements.

The Union Home Ministry on Sunday said a complete lockdown would continue in India till June 30 in areas identified as COVID-19 containment zones, but restrictions would be lifted in a phased manner at other places after the ongoing fourth phase of the lockdown ends this Sunday, May 31.

States and union territories will be allowed to impose additional curbs as per the ground situation about the pandemic, which has had a huge economic cost as well mainly due to the lockdown bringing most business activities to a standstill.

Hotels and restaurants; hospitality services and shopping malls can open from June 8.