COVID: Amid rising death toll, hotels, religious places, malls reopen today
India on Sunday recorded 9,971 new cases, death toll increases to 6,929
NEW DELHI: Amidst the huge spike in the number of COVID-19 cases every day, India is all set to reopen malls, restaurants, hotels, religious places and workplaces from Monday — after more than two months since the Coronavirus lockdown was imposed on March 24.
India on Sunday – a day after becoming the fifth-worst COVID-19 hit country — registered the highest single-day spike of 9,971 new infections that took the total tally to 2,46,628, while with 5,220 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, the total recovery rose to 1,19,293 at the rate of 48.37 per cent.
Also, after 287 fresh fatalities in a single day, the death toll rose to 6,929 on Sunday. Of the total 2,46,628 COVID-19 cases, 1,20,406 are active.
However, as per a WHO report, deaths in India per lakh population (0.49) are much
lower than the world average of 5.17 and are the lowest among countries that have eased lockdown such as Germany (10.35), Italy (55.78), the UK (59.62) and Spain (58.06).
Cases in India per lakh population (17.32) are much lower than the world average of 87.74 and are the lowest among countries that have eased lockdown such as Germany (219.93), Italy (387.33), the UK (419.54) and Spain (515.61).
As the country is ready to go for Unlock 1.0, most of the states are ready with their plans to reopen malls, hotels, restaurants and places of worship from June 8 as per the guidelines issued by the Home Ministry.
In Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that all state government offices will start functioning from June 8 with 70 per cent staff, while private offices and establishments can decide on their workforce. Shopping malls, restaurants and some other such establishments are also set to reopen from Monday.
Maharashtra government, on the other hand, has not yet decided to open religious places. Gujarat government said that religious places in “non-containment zones could open, but only for viewing”.
The Kerala government has decided to allow the functioning of malls, restaurants and places of worship, including the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, from June 9, but made it clear that the elderly and children will have to stay away from such places.
However, an archdiocese of Catholic Church in Kerala said churches under it would not offer services till June 30.
Hyderabad too has decided to open shopping malls from Monday. However, gaming centers and cinema halls in these malls will not be allowed to operate. Meanwhile, restaurants in Punjab will continue to remain shut for dine-in customers even though the state government has allowed the opening of malls, where you can shop for clothes but without trying them on. People can also visit places of worship but ‘prasad' or langar won't be served.
In Haryana, shopping malls and religious places are set to open across 20 districts in the state except for Gurugram and Faridabad. Restaurants, hotels and other hospitality services will, however, be allowed to operate across the state.
Malls, hotels, restaurants and religious places will open across Noida and other areas outside containment zones in Uttar Pradesh. Face masks have been made compulsory and persons showing symptoms have been advised not to visit public places. In line with the central guidelines, the Karnataka government has specified conditions such as social distancing, no distribution of ‘teertha' (holy water) or ‘prasada', no ringing of temple bells for devotees and a bar on special ‘pooja' or ‘archana'.
In Goa, churches and mosques in Goa have decided to remain closed for some more time.