Bhopal/Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday extended the ban on the movement of passenger buses to and from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan till May 23, as a measure to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The state government had on May 7 issued an order banning interstate movement of passenger buses, which was effective till Saturday.
As per the new order issued by the state transport department, the ban on bus movement to and from the COVID-19- affected states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh has been extended till May 23, additional commissioner transport Arvind Saxena said.
The ban also covers vehicles that have All India tourist permits, the official added. Madhya Pradesh on Friday reported 8,087 fresh COVID-19 cases and 88 fatalities that took the tally of infections to 7,16,708 and toll to 6,841.
Madhya Pradesh had closed its borders with Maharashtra first in the month of April with surge of cases in the neighbouring state. A little later bus operations from Chhatisgarh were also shut.
At present vehicles engaged in emergency services are only allowed at the borders to enter Madhya Pradesh from four neighbouring states.
(with inputs from Agencies)
