Lockdown ordered by HC in Lucknow, Varanasi, 3 other UP cities till April 26

The Allahabad High Court has directed the UP government to impose lockdown in five cities - Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Kanpur, Gorakhpur - from tonight till April 26. However, those that offer essential services will be exempted from the order, the court said. It also ordered the suspension of all public religious activities in the five cities till April 26.