AP announces lockdown till March 31

In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday declared lockdown till March 31 and asked people to step out of their homes only for essential needs.

Amaravati: Moving for a complete lockdown to fight coronavirus, Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday announced closure of inter-state borders for transport till March 31 and asked people to step out of their homes only for essential needs.

Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy said Public transport within state and inter-state would be shut while the government will also be run with skeletal staff, with employees working in rotation basis.

He also announced free ration to the poor and Rs 1000 assistance per family. "Situation is relatively better in AP, compared to other states," he told reporters, adding six coronavirus positive cases had been reported so far in the state.

Of the six, one patient (the first in Nellore) recovered and has been discharged from hospital, he added. (PTI report)