Coronavirus Lockdown: Parts of India are beginning to ease restrictions on a cautious note.
New Delhi:
Several parts of India have begun the process of cautiously resuming activities stopped two months ago when the coronavirus cases began its deadly surge in the second wave. The unlocking comes as Covid cases have seen a steady fall in recent weeks.
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In Delhi, shops in malls, markets, market complexes, standalone shops and neighborhood shops will open with the restrictions of odd-even and timings. Delhi Metro, which was suspended since May 10, will also resume services with 50 per cent capacity. Private offices will also be allowed to function with 50 per cent staff.
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Maharashtra will see a five-level plan to ease restrictions depending on infection rates and hospital bed occupancy.
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In Mumbai, restaurants, shops selling non-essential items and public places are set to reopen today but malls, theatres and multiplexes will continue to remain shut as the metropolis has been categorised under level 3 of the ”unlock” plan. Local trains in in the city can carry only essential workers. Buses will be allowed to run full capacity, but passengers can’t travel standing to avoid crowding.
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The Uttar Pradesh government has allowed shops and markets outside containment zones in Varanasi, Muzaffarnagar, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad to open for five days a week from today after active COVID-19 cases in these four districts fell below 600. The relaxations will be effective from Mondays to Fridays from 7 am to 7 pm. However, night and weekend curfews will continue.
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Though the lockdown has been extended in Haryana till June 14, there will be easing of several restrictions. Malls will be allowed to open from 10 am to 8 pm under the new set of guidelines. A maximum of 21 people will be permitted to gather in religious places at one time. Corporate offices can open with 50 per cent attendance. Restaurants, bars, and club houses will be allowed to open with 50 per cent seating capacity from 10 am to 8 pm Covid protocols in place.
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In Sikkim, shops selling groceries and vegetables as well as hardware shops can now remain open from 7 am to 2 pm, an extension of two more hours. The statewide lockdown, however, has been extended till June 14.
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The Jammu and Kashmir administration has extended the lockdown in the Union Territory till June 15. However, Jammu began its unlock process in a phased manner from Sunday after nearly a month of lockdown.
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Tamil Nadu has extended its lockdown for another week.In all parts of the state except 11 hotspot districts including Coimbatore, standalone grocery provision stores will be allowed to function from 6 am to 5 pm today. Housekeeping staff can return to apartments and office complexes but need an e-registration. Autos with two passengers and cabs with three are allowed as well. with e-pass.
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The Karnataka government said it will ease restrictions only once the Covid positivity rate goes below 5 per cent. The state has extended its lockdown till June 14.
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India today saw its lowest daily Covid case count in over two months, with a little over one lakh fresh infections. As the downward trend of new coronavirus cases raised hopes of more easing of lockdowns across the country, shares inched higher this morning, hovering near record highs.
(With inputs from Agencies)
