As coronavirus cases continue to rise in India, government on Monday announced the guidelines for?Unlock 2.0, which will be in force till July 31.?
The new unlock strategy means all activities are being allowed outside the containment zones, barring a few like metro services, operation of schools and colleges, among others. While the country has entered the Unlock 2.0 mode, a few states have announced lockdown extension in a bid to flatten the?COVID-19 curve.??
The Home Ministry in its guidelines has allowed more domestic flights to be operated. It has also changed curfew timings from 10 am to 5 pm, and added that not more than 5 people will be allowed in a shop.
It was also said that cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will not open.??
As India entered 'Unlock-2' from today with more relaxations in lockdown curbs, the country today reported 18,653 new cases in past 24 hours, taking the tally to 5,85,493. The death toll rose to 17,400 today after 507 new fatalities. It was the eighth day in a row that over 15,000 cases have been reported daily in the country.??
While the new guidelines mean states have further eased restrictions, but some have extended the lockdown to curb the spread of virus. Maharashtra, Kolkata, Tamil Nadu,?Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam, Jharkhand and Telangana, all have put restrictions.
The Maharashtra government has extended the coronavirus induced lockdown till July 31 without providing any further relaxations amid mounting cases of COVID-19 in the state.?
?Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 4878 new covid-19 cases taking the state's tally of covid-19 positive cases to 1,74,761. The state's capital, Mumbai, the biggest contributor in the state and country's coronavirus tally reported 893 new cases yesterday taking the city's tally to 77658. With 36 new deaths reported, Mumbai's total deaths stand at 4556.?
The state government's new order on extension makes wearing face covers or masks, maintaining social distancing, restricted gatherings, and other measures shall remain intact. The order clearly prohibited inter-district movement of people as well as long-distance travelling without any emergency.
The Tamil Nadu government has also announced the extension of lockdown in the state till July 31 as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.??
To stop the spread in worst affected areas, government has extended complete lockdown in Madurai and Greater Chennai Police limits including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Thiruvallur till July 5.??
As of yesterday, the state has reported 82,275 COVID-19 cases including, 35,659 active cases, 45,537 cured patients and 1,079 deaths.
West Bengal?Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last week had announced that night curfew will remain in force between 10 pm and 5 am, instead of current 9 pm to 5 am, during the extended coronavirus lockdown till July 31.? ??
The government has allowed 50 people at marriage functions and funerals during the next phase of the coronavirus lockdown.
There will be restrictions on social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religions congregations in the state, the state order said.??
The Begum Bazar in Hyderabad will remain shut for eight days from Sunday. An emergency executive committee meeting of the city Kirana Merchants Association held on Thursday took the decision.?
Shopkeepers at Charminar market have decided to keep their shops shut till 5 July, in view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Hyderabad.??
KCR-led Telangana government announced the extension of existing restrictions in the State till July 31. In the order issued late on Tuesday night, the government announced some relaxations in line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. As per the rules, no shops can remain open beyond 9.30 pm and no movement of people is allowed after between 10 pm to 5 am.
In addition to the above mentioned states, Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam Meghalayaand Jharkhand have also extended the ,lockdown.?