Rajasthan plans to ease lockdown from June 1
Rajasthan is planning to offer “some relaxations” in the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown in Rajasthan from June 1 in view of the gradual decline in the number of infections.
On May 23, the government had extended the ongoing lockdown in the state till June 8.
According to official sources, the home department is preparing guidelines for relaxations in the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown from June 1. The state government is likely to announce guidelines about the relaxations within next couple of days, said an official familiar with the developments.
Grocery shops, milk shops and dairies, mandi, fruit and vegetable vendors were allowed to operate from 6 am to 11 am in the lockdown, but now the government may increase the timing of keeping shops open till 5 pm daily, the official said. The government may also allow other kinds of shops to operate in the districts where the cases are declining sharply. Shops of garments, electronics, agricultural machinery may be allowed selectively to restart commercial activities in partial manner. Also, home delivery of food through restaurants may be allowed, the official added.
The government may also allow people to travel from villages to cities and vice versa, albeit with “some conditions”, the official said.
Commenting over the issue, transport minister Pratap Singh Singhvi said, “Now, when Covid-19 cases are declining sharply and the pandemic is coming under control, state government may offer relaxations from June 1. The timing of the allowed shops can be increased from 6 am to 5 pm.” He added, “The poor are facing the maximum wrath of lockdown, so relaxations in the lockdown are necessary and I am also in favour of offering the relaxations. I will myself ask the CM to ease lockdown, so that the poor community and common men can run their families.”
However, prohibition on solemnising weddings with mass gatherings will continue in the state to check the spread of Covid-19. Schools, colleges, coaching institutes, multiplex, gyms, swimming pools, hotels, shopping malls and public transport will also continue to remain closed till June 8.