COVID-19 lockdown to be eased by these Indian states from today; here are the details

The lockdown-like curbs were imposed in most of the states from April-end (Representative image)

With the COVID-19 daily case count dropping in most parts of India, several states have decided to ease the lockdown-like curbs that were imposed to curtail the pace of infections.

Among major Indian states, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat have announced the partial lifting of restrictions.

A number of state governments have permitted non-essential businesses to reopen, but have decided to continue with daily night curfews and measures aimed at regulating non-essential activities on weekends.

The restrictions on congregations, guests at marriage ceremonies, outdoor dining and cinema halls would also continue in several states.

Also Read | Telangana cabinet to meet on June 8; to take call on extension of lockdown

Here are the states/UTs where the restrictions would be relaxed from June 7:

Delhi: All malls, markets and market complexes (except weekly markets) shall open between 10 am to 8 pm on odd-even basis in Delhi, beginning from June 7. The odd-eve rule implies that only 50 percent of the shops (excluding those selling essential goods) shall be opened.

Private offices will also be allowed to function with 50 percent staff. "Group A staff of government offices will be allowed to function with 100 percent staff, while group B with 50 percent staff," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

Maharashtra: The state government has announced a five-level plan has relax the restrictions, with districts with the least positivity rate to witness the maximum easing of curbs.

The order, that will come into effect from June 7, would be based on the positivity rate and the oxygen bed occupancy recorded as of June 3.

Districts with less than 5 percent positivity and below 25 percent oxygen bed occupancy have been kept in level-1. Such districts would see the complete resumption of all essential and non-essential businesses. Malls, restaurants and marketplaces would also be allowed to reopen. Here is the list of relaxations and curbs for districts categorised under level-2, 3, 4 and 5.

Gujarat: The Gujarat government has allowed all offices to function with 100 percent staff from June 7. The state had earlier revised the lockdown guidelines to allow shops to remain open from June 4. Restaurants are allowed for home delivery till 10 pm on daily basis.

Here are the major states where restrictions were eased this week 

Uttar Pradesh: The state government has eased restrictions in all districts except three - Gorakhpur, Meerut and Saharanpur. As per the revised guidelines, shops outside containment zones would be allowed to operate between 7 am to 7 pm.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions would reman closed for offline classes, and the night curfews along with lockdown-like restrictions on weekends would continue.

Tamil Nadu: While extending the lockdown till June 14, the state government has permitted standalone provision stores, vegetable shops, meat and fish stalls to function from 6 AM to to 5 PM only in districts with low caseload.

Barring the 11 districts, in other regions, routine housekeeping and maintenance work in offices and residences would be allowed and workers including electricinas and plumbers shall be permitted to work between 6 AM and 5 PM albeit after getting e-pass following registration.

Odisha: The curbs have been partially eased in the state's Nuapada, Gajapati, and Sundargarh districts due to the decline in active caseload. In the above districts, the timing for essential shops has been extended from 6 am to 1 pm.

Rajasthan: The existing lockdown was eased on June 2, various activities given exemptions in areas where the positivity rate is less than 10 percent or the use of oxygen, ICU and ventilator beds is less than 60 percent.

All government offices of the state will open from 9:30 AM to 4 PM with the presence of 25 percent employees till June 7, and after that with 50 percent employees, as per the revised guidelines. At the same time, private offices can be opened up to 2 PM with the presence of 25 percent employees.