With markets, malls, hotels, places of worship gearing up to ‘unlock’ on Monday in many States, strict guidelines on social distancing and regular sanitisation have been issued to continue the fight against coronavirus.
Maharashtra government has allowed all private offices to operate with up to 10% of full staff strength or 10 people (whichever is higher). In Kerala, all State government offices will commence functioning fully from Monday. So will the public sector and quasi-government entities.
Here is a list of State Helpline numbers. You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here.
Here are the latest updates:
Most malls reopen in Kolkata
Most of the malls in the city reopened on Monday sans their multiplex and entertainment zones in the first phase of ‘Unlock 1’ to relax lockdown restrictions across the country.
Managements of the majority malls said 50 to 70% of the shops in them, including those of the big brands, have opened but did not have many visitors.
-PTI
Indore: ‘COVID-19 patient’s death reported after 24 days’
In the second such incident in the last three days in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, the death of a COVID-19 patient has been reported by authorities after a gap of 24 days, a Health department official confirmed on Monday.
The incidents of alleged delay in reporting deaths of COVID-19 patients have raised the demand for an inquiry by the Central government.
-PTI
Bank credit growth will nosedive to 1 pc due to COVID-19 impact: Crisil
The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic impact will lead bank credit growth to nosedive to only 1% in 2020-21, as against the 6.14 per cent achieved in the the last financial year, a report said on Monday.
Domestic rating agency Crisil, which estimates bank credit growth to come at 0-1% in this financial year, had earlier predicted it to expand by 8-9%.
-PTI
Focus on house-to-house survey, prompt testing: Health min to officials of 45 civic bodies
The Union Health Ministry on Monday asked officials of 45 civic bodies across 38 districts in 10 states, that are witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, to focus on house-to-house surveys, carry out prompt testing and undertake active surveillance measures to contain the infection and reduce mortality.
Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan along with senior officers of the Health ministry held a high level review meeting, via video conference, with the district collectors, municipal commissioners, superintendent of district hospitals and principals of medical colleges from 45 municipal corporations.
- PTI
Despite Centre’s nod, J-K, 4 states to keep ASI monuments with places of worship shut
In view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation, ASI monuments having places of worship will remain shut in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir despite nod from the central government to reopen them from Monday, officials said.
In an order issued on Sunday, the Union Culture Ministry approved reopening of 820 Archeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments which have places of worship from June 8, but allowed local authorities in the states to take the final call depending on the situation on the ground.
-PTI
37 more test positive for COVID-19 in Manipur, tally mounts to 209
Thirty-seven more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Manipur, taking the total number of cases in the state to 209, officials said on Monday.
All of them had recently visited other states -- Delhi, Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh -- a statement issued by the COVID-19 Common Control Room said.
-PTI
Religious places open in parts of Uttar Pradesh after govt eases lockdown curbs
Religious places opened in parts of Uttar Pradesh on Monday as the state government eased curbs in the current phase of the coronavirus lockdown.
However, very few devotees turned up to offer prayers with the authorities restricting the number of people paying obeisance to five at a time at a place of worship.
Malls too opened in the state. In the Lucknow’s Gomtinagar area, a prominent mall opened. However, the footfall was rather thin. Thermal screening of every visitor was done and their details noted by the mall authorities.
Meeting on Tuesday to ascertain community transmission in Delhi: Manish Sisodia
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday said that if it is decided in a meeting on Tuesday that there is community spread of novel coronavirus in Delhi, then the government will have to change the whole strategy to fight the virus.
"There will be a meeting of SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) tomorrow and there will be discussion with experts. If it is decided that community spread has happened, then we will have to change the full strategy to fight corona in Delhi and there will be discussion on it," Mr. Sisodia said in a video statement.
-Delhi Bureau
Shopping malls, hotels, restaurants reopen in Arunachal Pradesh
Shopping malls, hotels and restaurants in Arunachal Pradesh reopened on Monday after nearly a two-and-half-month-long hiatus due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
Places of worship, however, will remain closed till June 30.
Navy ship reaches Iran to bring back stranded Indians to Gujarat
Navy ship INS Shardul reached Bandar Abbas port in Iran on Monday to evacuate stranded Indians and bring them to Porbandar in Gujarat, a senior defence official said.
The Navy on Monday launched the next phase of ’Operation Samudra Setu’ to bring back Indians stranded in Iran due to travel restrictions imposed in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
-PTI
P. Chidambaram takes to Twitter to criticise Delhi govt's hospitals 'only for Delhiites' decision
Criticising the Delhi government's decision to reserve National Capital's hospitals for 'Delhiites' on Twitter, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram asked Arvind Kejriwal to explain what is the criteria for citizens to be classified as one.
Shopping malls reopen in Jaipur as ‘Unlock-1’ kicks in
Many shopping malls in Jaipur reopened on Monday, as the state government decided to gradually ease restrictions imposed to check the spread of COVID-19.
On the first day of reopening, limited customers visited the city malls and there were arrangements for thermal scanning and sanitization at most places.
CRPF reports fresh COVID-19 death
The country’s largest paramilitary force, CRPF, has recorded another COVID-19 death, taking the total number of fatalities in the force due to the novel coronavirus to four, officials said on Monday.
A Central Reserve Police Force jawan posted in Kashmir succumbed to COVID-19.
Officials said the jawan, a constable working as a nursing assistant in the 90th battalion in Anantnag, died at the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar on Sunday night.
COVID-19: Goa MLA asks PM for help to get Maha border sealed
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to intervene to get the border of Goa with Maharashtra sealed in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases here.
In the letter, a copy of which is available with PTI, Mr. Khaunte said Maharashtra has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
- PTI
High Court seeks Delhi govt reply on plea to direct hospitals not to deny admission to patients
The Delhi High Court Monday sought response of AAP government on a plea seeking direction to the government and private hospitals not to deny admission to asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 patients.
The plea has also sought direction that hospitals should not insist for coronavirus test before admitting people even in emergency.
A bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan, which conducted the hearing through video conferencing, issued notice to the Delhi government and listed the matter for further hearing on June 25.
-PTI
Lean business on first day as malls reopen in Delhi
Business remained lean as malls and shopping centres in the national capital re-opened on Monday after more than two months, with only a few people stepping out to shop and eat.
Though most of the shops, offices and restaurants reopened at Saket’s Select City Walk, one of the prominent malls in the city, only a handful of shoppers visited it in the initial hours.
-PTI
EKKI to give PPE kits for free to pump installers in country
With increasing number of COVID-19 cases, the city-based water technology firm EKKI has decided to provide plumbers, mechanics and the pump installer community across the country PPEs (personal protective equipment) kits for free beginning this week.
As a plan to fight the coronavirus, the company proposes to hand over more than 50,000 such kits to the community, under the initiative called “Battle COVID.”
-PTI
After over two months, govt offices in Kerala open with full strength
Government offices in Kerala began functioning with full staff from Monday, after remaining closed for over 75 days due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
An order issued by the state government on Sunday said all the government, quasi-government and PSU offices in Kerala, except those in containment zones, should function with full staff strength from Monday.
- PTI
HC seeks Delhi govt, ICMR replies on pleas challenging decision to restrict COVID 19 testing
The Delhi High Court Monday asked the Delhi government and the ICMR to reply to two pleas challenging the Health department’s decision to exclude asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients from COVID 19 testing.
A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan issued notices to the authorities on two separate but similar petitions filed by doctor KK Aggarwal, Padma Shri Awardee and former President of Indian Medical Association (IMA), and Renu Goswami.
-PTI
55 migrant workers fly home to Jharkhand from Leh
A flight carrying 55 migrant workers reached Ranchi from Leh on Monday morning, with Jharkhand ministers Mithilesh Thakur and Badal Patralekh greeting the returnees on their arrival at the airport.
An official statement by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) had on Sunday said 208 migrant workers of Jharkhand would be airlifted from Leh in four batches this week.
-PTI
Plea alleges delay in issuance of e-coupons for disbursing ration: HC seeks Delhi govt reply
The Delhi High Court has sought response of the AAP government on a plea alleging delay in issuance of e-coupons for availing ration during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Justice Navin Chawla directed the Delhi government to file a status report within one week on the petition in which reference has been made about applications filed by around 309 families with regard to the e-coupons.
- PTI
Shooting of Bengali feature films will start from June 10
Shooting of films had stopped in March due to the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown. West Bengal PWD, Sports and Youth affairs minister Aroop Biswas told reporters after a meeting with all stakeholders of the film industry on Sunday that the shooting will commence from Wednesday with maximum 35 persons and without any child artists.
-PTI
53 people test positive for COVID-19 in Tripura; State's tally rises to 803
The 53 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recently returned from Chennai, and 49 of them were from Sipahijala district and four others are from Gomati district, they said.
Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in a tweet late on Sunday said, “Fifty-three people (Sepahijala Dist: 49 & Gomati Dist:4) found COVID-19 positive in Tripura out of 1,153 samples tested. All of them have returned from Chennai by train. Confirmed case: 803. Active case: 607. Discharge: 192. Migrated: 3.Unnatural Death:1.”
-PTI
Nine new active cases of COVID-19 in Puducherry, State's tally rises to 75
Director of Health and Family Services S Mohan Kumar, in a press release, said of the nine, six are in the Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital, two in the Centrally administered JIPMER and one in the Government General Hospital in Mahe, an enclave of Puducherry in Kerala.
The cumulative COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory now stood at 127 with four discharges.
-PTI
154 new cases of COVID-19 in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh reports 154 new cases, taking the State's tally of cases to 4,813. Of the 154, 125 are olocals, 28 are from other states or migrant returnees, one is a foreign returnee. With 2027 active cases till now, the State has reported 75 deaths and discharged 2711 (51 today) inidividuals.
- Andhra Pradesh Bureau
Two coronavirus positive prisoners escape from COVID-19 care centre
Two prisoners who recently tested positive for coronavirus escaped from a COVID care centre in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district, a prison official said on Monday.
The duo bent grilles of a window to make space to sneak out and used bed sheets as ropes to climb down from their room at the facility late Sunday night, he said.
A prison employee has been suspended and a case has been registered at Begumpura police station, he said.
- PTI
11 Labour Ministry officials test positive for COVID-19
The officials work at the offices at Shram Shakti Bhawan here and they were closed for sanitising on June 4 and June 5, a source said.
Another source stated that the floor of Shram Shakti Bhawan that has the offices was closed on June 4 and June 5 and the whole area had been “deeply sanitised” by staff of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation, which operates under the Labour Ministry.
- Special Correspondent
Tiruchi restaurants open for dining to lukewarm response from patrons
Most of the restaurants in and around Central Bus Stand in the city resumed dining services. Similarly, restaurants in Srirangam, NSB Road, Thillai Nagar, Palakarai and others also opened their facility for dining.
As per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) laid down by the State government, the hoteliers had made table arrangements, allowing just 50% of their capacity. Two persons were allowed to dine at a time at tables with a seating capacity of four persons. Similarly, only one person was allowed to eat at a 2-seater table.
- C. Jaishankar
Chennai residents flout lockdown norms, throng beaches
Its not just markets in the city that residents are crowding at: flouting lockdown norms, many residents have resumed their workouts at beaches of the city, especially at Marina, risking the spread of COVID-19.
While a few residents were seen wearing masks and following physical distancing norms, many others did not follow safety measures.
Bihar reports 105 fresh cases of COVID-19
105 more COVID-19 positive cases detected in Bihar taking the State's total number to 5175. Bihar's death toll is now 30, 2405 individuals have recovered so far.
- Amarnath Tewary
Election Commission official tests positive for COVID-19
An official of the Election Commission has tested positive for COVID-19, sources in the poll panel said on Monday. The official, an assistant section officer, had tested positive on Friday evening, the sources said.
He sits on the second floor of Nirvachan Sadan and is attached with the electronic voting machine (EVM) division of the poll panel.
Supreme Court seeks Centre’s reply on plea alleging rise in child trafficking during lockdown
The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Centre and NDMA’s reply on a plea by an NGO alleging sudden rise in children trafficking cases during the COVID-19 lockdown in the country.
A bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hrisheksh Roy, in a hearing through video conferencing, sought the assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on the issue and indicated that it may appoint an experts committee to look into the child trafficking issue.
- PTI
Shopping malls, restaurants reopen in West Bengal as ‘Unlock-1’ kicks in
People came out on the streets of Kolkata in large numbers, with many flouting the social-distancing norms.
Traffic snarls were reported from several areas of the metropolis as government offices started operating with a 70-per cent attendance and most private offices and establishments recommenced near-normal functioning.
People rushing to board a bus in Kolkata , on Monday, June 08, 2020. | Photo Credit: Rajeev Bhatt
Though government buses were out in full strength, private buses were less in number, adding to the woes of commuters, as other public modes of transport like metro railway and local trains are yet to recommence operations.
Shop owners were seen standing in queues at several malls in the city to undergo health and safety checks.
- PTI
Religious places, malls, hotels to remain closed in Odisha till June 30
All religious places, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants will continue to remain closed in Odisha till June 30 in view of the COVID-19 scenario, the State government has said in a notification.
The Odisha government, in a clarification issued late on June 7, said the Centre has mentioned that the States, based on their assessment of the COVID-19 situation, are authorised to prohibit certain activities outside the containment zones or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.
97 new cases, another death in Rajasthan
The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 241 in Rajasthan on Monday, with the state recording one more fatality.
The number of cases climbed to 10,696 as 97 more people tested positive for the disease, officials said.
One death was reported from Bharatpur, they said.
Of the fresh cases, 58 were reported in Alwar, 12 in Kota, six in Dungarpur, four each in Jaipur and Bharatpur, three each in Banswara and Sirohi, two each in Bundi, Pali and Jhalawar and one in Baran district, officials said.
- PTI
WB govt. to install CCTV cameras in containment zones in Kolkata
The West Bengal government has decided to install CCTV cameras in containments zones under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police to keep a watch whether the residents of the area are strictly following the COVID-19 norms, a senior official said on Monday.
The state government has decided to install 500 CCTV cameras in over 480 containment zones in the city and officers of Kolkata Police will keep a watch from the Control Room at Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar, he said.
“The containment zones in the city have gone up and at the moment it is over 480. So installing CCTVs will definitely make things easier for the administration to keep a tab on the activities there and see if anybody is violating the norms at those zones,” the senior bureaucrat told PTI.
- PTI
Bengaluru unlocks to the 'new normal'
Bengaluru's iconic Vidyarthi Bhavan in Basavanagudi reopened on Monday adhering to physical distancing norms. | Photo Credit: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
After over two months of being under the lockdown, many sectors in Bengaluru reopened their shutters on Monday embracing the 'new normal'.
As places of worship opened, people were seen standing in queues to get 'darshana' in temples like Halasuru Someshwara and Dodda Basavanagudi. There were markers to keep safe distance, thermal checking and sanitisers at the entrance of the temples. However, there was no rush. Speaking to The Hindu, Ravishankar G N of the Dodda Basawangudi Managing Committee said that all precautionary measures were in place, including availability of sanitisers at the entrance of the temple, markers for social distancing and thermal screening.
Restaurants that are open have precautionary measures for both customers and employees. While customers have been asked to maintain social distancing and use sanitisers before entering the hotels, employees have been told to avoid travelling to other cities for the time being.
- Bengaluru Bureau
Arvind Kejriwal to undergo test for COVID-19
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is to take a test for the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, according to sources.
“He has fever and sore throat and is not meeting people since Sunday afternoon. He is under home isolation,” said an AAP source.
- Nikhil M. Babu
TTD temples allow 'darshan'
An employee prays to Gali Gopuram atop the hill, while proceeding to Tirumala in a bus at the Alipiri security point on Monday. | Photo Credit: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to allow darshan at the temples under its purview in and around Tirupati on an experimental basis from Monday. However, the devotees need to book darshan tokens online or through SMS services.
In a release issued on Sunday, the TTD said that darshan will be allowed at Sri Padmavathi temple at Tiruchanur (SVP), Sri Kalayana Venkateswara Swamy temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram (SVS), Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy temple at Appalayagunta (SVA), Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple (SVG) and Sri Kapileswara Swamy temple (SVK) at Tirupati between 7.30 a.m. and 6 p.m., with specified breaks for the rituals.
Hotels, malls to reopen in Vizag from today
The managements have been busy conducting spraying (disinfecting) activities on their premises. Hotels and restaurant owners have been taking additional care for their customers in seating arrangement and at rooms.
Restaurant managements were seen preparing the premises making sure the tables are far from each other and encouraging online methods while ordering food as well as making payments.
Most of the malls in the Jagadamba region and Dabagardens have to be closed due to strict instructions by the district administration in the wake of increase in COVID-19 cases in the district. However, malls in other areas (except containment zones) will start operating from today.
Hotels 'unlock' with new guidelines
People have breakfast at a hotel in Ramanathapuram on Monday after the government allowed dine-in in hotels to function after reducing the dining space by 50% and following personal hygiene guidelines. | Photo Credit: L. Balachandar
According to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Union Health Ministry on Thursday, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, religious places and offices would be open only outside the containment zones and only asymptomatic staff members, guests and visitors would have access to these areas. No gathering or crowding of any kind would be permitted.
CRPF personnel dies of COVID-19 in J&K
A 40-year-old CRPF personnel, who had tested positive for COVID-19, died at a hospital, taking the number of fatalities due to the novel coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir to 42, officials said on Monday. This is the first COVID-related death of a trooper in Jammu and Kashmir.
The trooper, who was posted in Anantnag district in South Kashmir, was admitted at the SKIMS hospital on Thursday with acute respiratory distress syndrome, the officials said.
- PTI
Religious places open in Delhi after more than two months
Devotees offer prayers at the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in New Delhi on Monday. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
Religious places in Delhi opened after two-and-a-half months on Monday with devotees trickling in to offer prayers following the social distancing and sanitisation measures put in place by the management committees of the temples and shrines.
The famous Chhatarpur temple complex opened around 8.45 am with nearly 300 devotees visiting in the first hour, the temple authorities said.
Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari said the mosque was not opened for the first namaz of the day due to the corona curfew till 5 am.
Sikh devotees were seen at prominent gurdwaras such as Bangla Sahib, Sis Ganj and Rakabganj. They paid obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib following social distancing and sanitisation norms.
- PTI
Teachers to report for exam duty from today
With the public exams set to begin from June 15 in Tamil Nadu, teachers handling classes 10, 11 and 12 in some districts have been asked to report for duty in government schools from today.
A government school teacher said that they have been instructed to start distribution of masks to students who will be taking the exams.
8 new COVID-19 cases in Mizoram, total climbs to 42
Eight more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, taking the total number of cases in the state to 42, an official of the Health department said on Monday.
Of the 244 samples tested on Sunday, 8 have come out as positive, he said.
The official said that the new 8 patients - 5 females and 3 males were diagnosed with COVID-19 at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) on Sunday night.
- PTI
Long queues at BEST bus stops
Ignoring physical distancing passengers jostle to catch the bus at Kandivali, Mumbai on June 8, 2020 . | Photo Credit: Aadesh Choudhari
Long queues were seen outside bus stops as Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses began ferrying regular commuters on Monday as part of the Mission Begin Again of the Maharashtra State Government.
As of 10 a.m. as many as 2,132 BEST buses were plying as against the pre-lockdown schedule of around 2,514 buses. While around 250 buses were added to certain key long routes to mitigate the absence of the Mumbai local trains, passengers claimed they had to wait for as much as two hours for buses.
In many areas, passengers jostled for the limited number of seats available. as BEST stipulated only one person on each seat and five passengers to be standing.
“We are increasing the numbers of buses at this moment, we plan to have around 2,200 buses on the road,” a senior BEST official said. The BEST had said they had allocated around 250 additional buses on 81 long routes.
- Ajeet Mahale
Devotees can only have 'darshan' at temples: Minister
Entry to temples will be restricted only to darshan now. Decision on allowing different sevas will be taken later in consultation with Central Government, said Muzarai Minister and Minister In-charge for Dakshina Kannada Kota Srinivas Poojary.
Talking to reporters after having darshan at the Kadri Manjunatha Temple, Mr.Poojary said devotees have been demanding opening of temples and to be allowed to offer prayers that would help in boosting their confidence in the fight against COVID-19."Devotees will be relieved to see the temples open from today. They can have darshan by maintaining social distancing, hygiene and sporting face masks. Sevas will be allowed gradually in consultation with the Central Government," he said.
- Raghava M.
138 more cases weredetected in Odisha taking the State’s total to 2,994, officials said on Monday.
Active cases stood at 1,089, while 1,894 have recovered and 11 have died.
- Prafulla Das
Guidelines to prevent big congregations at religious places
With places of worship set to open on Monday, the State government has asked mosques to have staggered timings for Friday prayers and to disinfect mosques daily, even as the religious places have been asked to complete prayers in the minimum time possible.
Churches have been allowed to hold Mass on weekdays if the number of people are more for the Sunday Mass while restrictions have been placed on the Holy Communion.
The guidelines were issued by the Department of Minority Welfare, Haj and Waqf for the Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities. The guidelines for reopening temples had been announced earlier.
Eight new cases, including one in Mahe, were confirmed in Puducherry on Monday taking the cumulative total to 127. So far, 52 have been discharged.
- M. Dinesh Varma
China reports six new imported COVID-19 cases
China has reported six new imported coronavirus infections, including two asymptomatic cases, health officials said on Monday.
Out of the four confirmed imported coronavirus cases reported on Sunday, three are from Sichuan Province and one from Shanghai, the National Health Commission (NHC) said. Two new asymptomatic cases from overseas were also reported on Sunday, it said.
As of Sunday, the overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 83,040, including 65 patients who were still being treated, with no one in severe condition. Altogether 78,341 patients have been discharged after recovery and 4,634 people have died of the disease, the NHC said.
- PTI
New Zealand becomes coronavirus-free country
New Zealand has no active cases of COVID-19 in the country for the first time since February 28, the country’s Health Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The last person who was being monitored for coronavirus has now been released from isolation as he's been symptom-free and is regarded as recovered, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said in a statement.
The Delhi government has granted permission to places of worship to open from Monday.
At the Kalkaj temple, the local management has installed a sanitisation tunnel.
Guidelines:
- Only devotees wearing masks would be allowed inside.
- Offerings would be disallowed.
- Those entering the premises will also have to get their temperature checked at the entrance.
- Anyone suspected of having an illness would not be allowed.
Authorities making arrangements to ensure social distancing of devotees, at the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada. | Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri
An advisory on the entry into the Jama Masjid has also been issued by Deputy Shahi Imam Syed Bukhari.
Guidelines:
- Devotees have been requested to avoid large gatherings and ensure social distancing.
- People above the age of 65 and below 15 have been asked to take precautions.
- Stickers have been put on the floor and verandas to ensure people maintain a one-arm distance between themselves during namaz.
- Everyone will be required to wear masks, carry sanitisers and avoid standing shoulder to shoulder.
- The advisory also states that ablution before namaz must be carried out at home before coming to the mosque as services for the same will temporarily remain closed.
- Devotees have also been asked to bring their own carpets.
Shopping Malls
As malls and shopping centres in the national capital re-open on Monday after more than two months, they will be focussing on hourly disinfection of the common areas, contact-less shopping and physical distancing to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
There are around 100 big and small shopping malls in the national capital, the source of around ₹500 crore in revenue for the Delhi government, according to Brijesh Goyal, the convenor of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) trader’s wing.
Temples and churches have announced guidelines for devotees as religious institutions are gearing up to allow their entry from June 9. All major mosques across the State will continue to remain closed for a few more weeks in spite of the government allowing them to reopen conditionally from Monday.
Bengalureans will be able to shop at malls and markets, dine at their favourite hotels and restaurants and head to places of worship from Monday as most such establishments are set to “unlock” themselves. However, signs of the “new normal” will be evident.
Book darshan tokens for TTD temples online
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to allow darshan at the temples under its purview in and around Tirupati on an experimental basis from Monday. However, the devotees need to book darshan tokens online or through SMS services.
The stage is set for reopening of places of worship, hotels, restaurants, other hospitality services, shopping malls (other than gaming centres and cinema halls) in Telangana from Monday, albeit with some restrictions to keep the spread of coronavirus under check.
Only 40% of restaurants may re-open
Only 40% of hotels in and around Chennai will be re-opening for dine-ins on Monday. Around 30% of the restaurant owners are in a wait-and-watch mood, while the rest are grappling with labour shortage and cash crunch.
The Puducherry Government has put in place several measures to cut down COVID-19 transmission risks as more high-patronage sectors of the economy such as the hospitality sector, restaurants, malls and places of worship reopen under lockdown relaxations announced by the Centre from Monday.