Hyderabad, April 10 -- Taking cognizance of rising COVID-19 cases, two villages in Adilabad district-Ponnala and Boath on Thursday imposed a self-lockdown. For the next ten days atleast, all commercial establishments, including retail shops will remain shut after 5 pm.

The two villages passed a resolution after 20 positive cases were recorded in the last week. "Only emergency services like medical stores are kept open," said Adilabad District Medical Health Officer (DMHO) Todasam Chandu, as quoted by The News Minute.

Several other villages will follow suit after the Ugadi festival on Tuesday, he added.

Active COVID-19 cases in Telangana crossed the 17,000-mark on Saturday, with the health department reporting a record 2,909 cases-the h...