MP begins ‘unlock’, relaxes norms

Madhya Pradesh was on Tuesday unlocked partially to start economic and business activities in the state.

The state government has, however, extended the ‘corona curfew’ in Madhya Pradesh till June

15. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced relaxation in curbs.

The lockdown was imposed on April 24 in the state to contain the Coronavirus pandemic, in the wake of 47 out of total

52 districts reporting a positivity rate below five per cent. In a series of tweets, the Chief Minister’s office has issued detailed guidelines regarding the relaxations that will be provided during the period of ‘corona curfew’ in the state.

According to the guidelines, the ‘corona curfew’ will remain in force from

10 pm every Saturday to

6 am on Monday. There will be night curfew in the state from 10 pm to 6 am.

Grocery shops and other small business establishments have been allowed to open. But, shopping malls, cinema halls, gym, swimming pools, picnic spots, auditorium and community centres will remain closed during the curfew. Similarly, religious activities, political and social gatherings will remain prohibited till June 15. Schools, colleges and coaching institutions will also remain closed during the period.

On Monday, Madhya Pradesh reported 1,205 fresh Coronavirus cases taking the tally of cases to 7,80,030. The state has recorded 48 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the death toll to 5,023.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Chhattisgarh government also relaxed some curbs in the state, but decided to extend the lockdown to different periods in different districts considering the gravity of situation in these areas.

Those districts with a positive rate above five per cent shall continue with restrictions on opening of shops and other commercial establishments, as was instructed in the earlier instructions on May 24, a press release by the Chhattisgarh government said.

Shops and commercial establishments in all other districts reporting less than five per cent positivity rate will be opened.

However, restrictions on opening of cinema halls, swimming pools, water parks and other group gathering places will remain in force in these districts.