Most states have begun reopening of shopping malls, religious places, hotels and restaurants from June 8 after a gap of over two months, as the country prepares for a calibrated exit from the coronavirus-induced lockdown by easing more restrictions in the non-containment zones under Unlock 1.0.
The Unlock1.0 kicks in at a time when the country recorded a daily jump of COVID-19 cases by over 9,000 for the sixth straight day on June 8.
It is the first of the three-phase plan for reopening of prohibited activities in non-containment zones with a stringent set of Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) which will be in place till June 30.
Meanwhile, 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. Catch the LIVE updates here:
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Most malls reopen to enthusiastic response 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 and had enthusiastic response from visitors.
Managements of majority of the malls said 50 to 70 percent of the shops in them, including those of the big brands, have opened.
Sushil Mohta, the owner of Acropolis Mall and a partner of South City Mall, said the average footfall in the shopping complexes was 50 to 60 percent of the normal times.
Malls like the South City, City Centre I and II, Acropolis, Lake Mall threw open their doors, while the Forum Mall will do so next week, managements of the malls said.
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Places of worship, malls reopen in Assam
Places of worship, shopping malls and restaurants across Assam reopened to the public on Monday after remaining closed for around two-and-half months since the lockdown began on March 25 to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Temples, mosques and gurudwaras, as well as shopping centres and eateries allowed entry to people while ensuring that social distancing norms are followed in accordance with the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, according to the authorities concerned.
However, the flow of devotees to shrines and customers to malls and restaurants was thin on the first day of their reopening as people are still apprehensive about catching the infection, they said.
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Commercial, spiritual activities restart in southern states
Commercial and spiritual activities got a restart in southern states on Monday in line with the Centre's graded exit plan from the lockdown, 'Unlock 1.0' when temples, malls and restaurants resumed functioning after over a 70-day hiatus due to the coronavirus-induced curbs.
However, caution took centrestage in the resumption of activities with social distancing and certain other never before heard curbs, especially in temples, greeting shoppers, devotees and those visiting hotels.
Temples in Karnataka and Telangana were opened only for darshan while there were no special pujas.
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Places of worship, shopping malls will continue to remain closed in Jharkhand
All places of worship and shopping malls will continue to remain closed in Jharkhand as no new lockdown relaxations have been allowed by the state government, an official said on Monday.
Jharkhand is still in the "lockdown mode" as coronavirus cases are increasing by the day with the return of the migrants to the state.
A total of 1,143 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state so far, the official said. Of the total 1,143 novel coronavirus cases detected in the state, 822 are migrants.
According to reports from across the state, thin traffic has been witnessed in several areas though auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws are allowed to ply, adhering to safety protocols strictly.
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Restaurants resume dine-in services in TN to lukewarm response
A section of restaurants resumeddine-in services in Tamil Nadu on Monday after a gap of 74 days only to see lukewarm response from the public while a chunk of eateries stuck to takeaway services alone due to factors like labour shortage.
Restaurants that reopened the dine-in amenity had only 50 percent of the seats of the total capacity, saw people being allowed to enter after thermal screening, provision of hand sanitisers, while chairs and tables were arranged in a suitable manner to ensure social distancing and collected contact details of customers to track them in case of necessity.
Tamil Nadu Hotels Association president M Venkata Subbu said in Chennai only 25 per cent of the about 20,000 restaurants and in rest of the state, 75 per cent of approximately 30,000 hotels opened. (PTI)
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Courts reopen in Pune, civic buses yet to resume services
The Pune district and sessionscourt, other lower and subordinate courts here in Maharashtra resumed work on Monday following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Some private offices also opened with limited staff, but the civic-run buses were yet to resume operations in the city.
"Bus services have started on some key routes in the neighbouring Pimpri Chinchward municipal limits, but operations are yet to resume in Pune city," an official fromPune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited said. (PTI)
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Religious places, shopping malls, restaurants reopen in Bihar
Places of worship, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants reopened in Bihar after a gap of over two months on Monday with the state government having issued a notification to this effect in accordance with a directive issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The management of Mahavir Mandir, a famous temple of Patna, has made all arrangements to welcome devotees.
A thermal screening is being conducted at the entry gate of the temple, while automatic hand-sanitiser dispensers have been installed at several places inside and outside the temple.
"Only asymptomatic devotees are being allowed to enter the temple premises," a constable, who was conducting the thermal screening, said.
The P&M Mall, a prominent shopping mall in the state capital, is all set to welcome people after more than two months.Stickers have been pasted at the entrance asking people to maintain a distance of at least six feet with each other.
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Most temples across Uttarakhand reopen, Chardham remains closed
Most temples across Uttarakhand reopened their gates for devotees on Monday after a gap of more than three months except the famous Chardham in Garhwal Himalayas and those within the limits of Dehradun municipal area.
Barring Chardham and the temples located within Dehradun municipal area, all shrines in the state have been reopened, CEO of Devasthanam Board Ravinath Raman told news agency PTI.
A decision on reopening Chardham, including Badrinarth, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, for pilgrims will be taken in a day or two after taking priests and stakeholders into confidence over the matter, he said.
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Places of worship in Chennai remain shut as no guidelines or standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been issued by the State Government regarding their reopening, although Centre allowed reopening of religious places from today. (ANI)
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Devotees were seen taking holy dip in river Ganga at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar as Government allows places of worship to reopen from today.
Uttarakhand government has allowed religious places to remain open from 7 am to 7 pm. Pilgrims from places outside State not allowed till further orders. (ANI)
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE Updates | Unlock 1.0 rules for Uttar Pradesh: What is allowed, what is not
Uttar Pradesh will begin lifting the lockdown in a phased manner, as several states ease some of the restrictions.
The night curfew of 9 pm to 5 am, as advised by the Centre, will continue in the state. Only essential activities will be permitted in containment zones.
Here's what will be allowed from today, and what will remain restricted in the state.
Let us take a look at what will be allowed in Tamil Nadu from today
Although the Centre issued detailed guidelines on May 30 listing a host of activities that would be allowed as the country gradually reopens after the months-long lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to not lift the restrictions until June 30.
However, while continuing with the curbs on religious activities and malls, gyms, etc., Chief Minister K Palaniswami has introduced certain relaxations vis-à-vis public transport, reopening of offices.
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Shop owners were seen standing in queues at several malls in West Bengal's Kolkata to undergo health and safety checks.
Most shrines and religious places have reopened in the state from June 1.
Meanwhile, several industrial units in West Bengal reported a low turnout of workers, as a large number of labourers have returned to their home states in the last few weeks amid the lockdown. (PTI)
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Religious places, restaurants reopen in Karnataka as 'Unlock-1' kicks in
After about two-and-half months, places of worship, hotels and restaurants opened for the public today in Bengaluru and several parts of Karnataka, with easing of COVID-19 restrictions as per unlock 1.0 norms of the Centre.
As temples opened up with some strict guidelines in place, the number of devotees remained scarce. (PTI)
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A mall official in the Nagerbazar area of Kolkata, West Bengal told news agency PTI that standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place such as bringing down the seating capacity at food courts by 50 percent and allowing only one customer per 75 square feet in each shop.
"We will have to strike a balance between those who come for shopping and the ones who are interested in only loitering around in malls," the official said.
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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. (PTI)
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Tupperware India resumes retail operatio
ns
Tupperware decided to reopen close to 40 percent of retail outlets across 17 cities. These outlets are being opened in accordance with government's guidelines and all necessary safety measures like hygiene maintenance, social distancing, deep sanitisation etc. are being taken care of, said the company in a press release.
As India heads towards a calibrated exit from the coronavirus-induced lockdown by easing more restrictions in the non-containment zones under Unlock 1.0, take a look at preventive measures in the restaurants against COVID-19:
Specific arrangements
> Takeaways to be encouraged over dine-ins
> Entrance must have hand sanitizer and thermal screening
> Staggering of customers (only 50% seating permitted)
> Disposable menus and napkins advised
> Digital mode of payment encouraged
> Restrict the number of people in elevators and escalators
> Regular disinfection using 1% sodium hypochlorite
> Physical distancing to be followed in kitchens, with regular sanitization
(Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)
As India heads towards a calibrated exit from the coronavirus-induced lockdown by easing more restrictions in the non-containment zones under Unlock 1.0, take a look at preventive measures in the restaurants against COVID-19:
Generic Measures
> Physical distancing of at least six feet
> Use of face covers/masks is mandatory for staff and customers
> Frequent hand washing with soap and water
> Respiratory etiquette to be followed
> Spitting in public is strictly prohibited
(Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)
Read more: Here's why Bengaluru residents are reluctant to go out
After a nationwide lockdown for over two months, the Karnataka government has given permission to restaurants, religious places and malls to open doors for citizens from June 8 with some restrictions. The move is a big relief for many businesses, but will residents of Bengaluru make a beeline for them?
Here are the activities that will be permitted in the state
Unlock 1.0 in Rajasthan will begin from June 8 like the rest of the country. The night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am, in accordance with the Centre's guidelines, will continue and only essential activities will be allowed in containment zones.
Rajasthan has reported nearly 11,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 240 deaths.
Read more: COVID marshals, masks, temperature checks as malls open doors in Delhi, Noida
Malls across Delhi and neighbouring Noida reopened on June 8 after more than two months as India began lifting the lockdown in a staggered manner though coronavirus cases continue to touch a new high.
The rising pace of infections is likely to have a bearing on the business, with mall owners saying they are expecting low footfalls and a largely subdued opening.
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates |
The Union Culture Ministry has approved the opening of 820 centrally-protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), including 46 religious places in Odisha, from today. However, the fresh notification issued by the state government said religious places will remain shut till June 30. Shree Jagannath Temple Administration chief administrator Krishna Kumar had last week made it clear that the shrine will remain out of bounds for devotees till July 5. (PTI)
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Odisha keeps religious places, malls, restaurants shut 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.
Most states are set to reopen such public spots from today after a gap of over two months, as the country prepares for a calibrated exit from the coronavirus-induced lockdown by easing more restrictions in the non-containment zones.
The Odisha government, in a clarification issued late on Sunday, 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.
"The order issued by the state government is valid till June 30 and shall be strictly implemented," an official said. (PTI)
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Heavy traffic jam seen on Western Expressway Highway in Mumbai, Maharashtra on the first day of Unlock 1.0 allowed by the Ministry of Home Affairs amid COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo credit: News18)
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Sikh devotees were seen at prominent gurdwaras of Delhi such as Bangla Sahib, Sis Ganj and Rakabganj. They paid obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib following social distancing and sanitisation norms.
Sanitisation tunnels have been set up at major gurdwaras and social distancing is being enforced by ensuring that people do not stay longer inside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrines, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chairman Manjinder Singh Sirsa told news agency PTI.
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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.
"We are expecting good numbers for the second namaz around 1 pm. Social distancing and sanitisation measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of the virus during congregational prayers," he told news agency PTI.
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The famous Chhatarpur temple complex opened around 8.45 am with nearly 300 devotees visiting in the first hour, the temple authorities said.
"We have set up a sanitisation tunnel at the temple entrance and are using a thermal gun to screen people. No prasad and flower is allowed," Kishor Chawla, CEO, Chhatarpur temple management committee told news agency PTI.
Unlock 1.0 LIVE Updates | Religious places open in Delhi after more than two months
Religious places in Delhi opened after two-and-a-half months today 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 religious places were closed in Delhi on March 23, two days ahead of the nationwide lockdown imposed to check the spread of coronavirus.
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Temperature checks being done at Puducherry's Manakula Vinayagar Temple as it opens after Government allows reopening of malls, restaurants and religious places from today under the Unlock 1.0. (CNN News18)
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City Centre mall in West Bengal's Siliguri resumes operations from today as per government guidelines, amid COVID-19 outbreak.
Hotels, restaurants as well as shopping malls are allowed to operate from today across the state, except the containment zones, reported news agency ANI.
Read more: Unlock 1.0 rules in Maharashtra | What is allowed, what is not
As the rest of the country eases coronavirus-induced lockdown restrictions starting June 8, unlock 1.0 in Maharashtra may be a little different considering the state is among the worst affected.
A curfew will continue to be imposed from 9 pm to 5 am as part of the unlock 1.0 rules in Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra and only essential activities will be permitted in containment zones.
Unlock 1.0 Live Updates | UN headquarters preparing for three-phase reopening to 'new normal' amid COVID-19
The sprawling United Nations headquarters, which has remained largely closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is preparing to re-open in three phases with new workplace measures being put in place for staff, diplomats and journalists that will include maximum two-person occupancy in elevators and wearing masks in common areas.
As New York City begins the first phase of reopening from today, the UN is also gearing up for its return to normalcy in three phases.
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On the first day of reopening India, the Union Health Ministry reported that the death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 7,135 and the number of cases climbed to 2,56,611 after it registered 206 fatalities and a record single-day spike of 9,983 cases till 8 am.
Unlock 1.0 Live Updates | Actor Ranvir Shorey on Twitter:
Inspite of Unlock 1, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Mumbai and Delhi to venture out unless absolutely necessary, until the time the local hospitals are overcrowded. And the morgues.
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Devotees visit Sharana Basaveshwara Temple in Kalaburagi, Karnataka to offer prayers as the Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed the opening of places of worship from today with certain precautionary measures amid COVID-19 outbreak. (ANI)
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Fatehpuri Masjid in Delhi reopens for devotees as the Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed the opening of places of worship from today with certain precautionary measures amid COVID-19 outbreak.
Unlock 1.0 Live Updates | Sajjan Jindal, Chairman JSW Group on lockdown and economy
: The COVID-19 crisis brought the world to a stop! We paused to save lives but now we need to start again to save livelihoods.
The economic fall-out of these global lock-downs has been brutal - and the battle to save livelihoods is as important.
Global economies are opening up and we should too. We as a country need to get back to our full capacity at the soonest to be the successful economy that we aim to be. The slower we are to re-start, the more we lose against countries out of lockdown. We can't lose any more time.
Europe opened up. People in Spain, France, Amsterdam and Germany have accepted a “new normal” and have started living again. Restaurants, Shopping complexes, public transport have all sprung back into action. That’s how you save the economy! Not by staying indoors!
We will have to live with the virus for some time and while staying indoors is a need for some - it’s not a solution for all!
Staying at home till a cure is found will make the loss of livelihoods as severe as the loss of lives!
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Devotees visit Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar to offer prayers as the government allows reopening of religious places from today. A devotee told ANI, "We all must follow social distancing norms and take precautionary measures like wearing masks and sanitizing our hands frequently".
Read more: Unlock 1.0 rules for Uttarakhand: What is allowed, what is not
As India begins the gradual lifting of the lockdown, the Uttarakhand government has issued guidelines for malls, restaurants and places of religious worship.
Bars, malls, restaurants, hotels homestays and places of religious worship in containment zones and in the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) will remain closed until further notice.
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Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and Manokamna Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabadremain closed as District Magistrate has deferred reopening of religious places by 2-3 weeks. A devotee told ANI, "Places of worship were to reopen from today but when we came here we came to know about the new order". (ANI)
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Devotees started visiting Saint Mary’s Church in Shivaji Nagar in Bengaluru to offer prayers. Places of worship re-open from today amid COVID-19 outbreak, following the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs. (ANI)
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For all those activities permitted by state government, due to start from June 8, no separate permission is required. They can start with all the prescribed precautions. Today we held meeting with Hotel and Mall representatives regarding suggested measures by the government: DM of Gautam Budha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
Unlock 1.0 Live Updates | Only 2 Mathura temples to open as of now
Only two Mathura temples will open to the public as managements of the others have expressed reservations about the move amid the coronavirus crisis.
While the Krishna Janmasthan temple will open from today, the Dwarkadhish temple will open from June 10.
In a two-hour long meeting with DM Sarvagya Ram Mishra and SSP Dr Gaurav Grover, other major temples, including those of Vrindaban, Govardhan, Baldeo, Gokul, Barsana, Nandgaon and the ISCKON, expressed their reservations on the issue. (PTI)
Read more: A critical moment in fight against COVID-19 as India 'reopens'
The first phase of 'Unlock India' begins as the government hopes to breathe some life into a near-morbid economy. Malls, restaurants, hotels and places of worship reopen selectively across the country beginning today. But that the ease in lockdown restrictions comes immediately after the country registered its highest single-day hike in cases of COVID-19—also the fifth consecutive day of a new high—also underlines the risk of letting people move, shop, dine and worship with relative freedom.
Read more: BEST to run buses across MMR from today: Check complete route details
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) will run buses across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) from today.
As private offices too will open with limited capacity, best to run services to help transport people.It will be the first time that best will run buses outside BMC limits. This decision has been taken to facilitate those travelling from other places to Mumbai.
Unlock 1.0 Live Updates | Social distancing to be 'mantra' as places of worship open in Karnataka
Social distancing will be the 'mantra' while traditional practices such as 'archana' and giving 'teertha' (holy water) will be missing in places of worship in Karnataka when they open for devotees from today with a slew of restrictions after almost a three-month long hiatus due to coronavirus lockdown.
Temples, and mosques will reopen on Monday but the Church is set to allow its faithful from June 13. (PTI)
Unlock 1.0 Live Updates | Malls, restaurants, religious places to open in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that malls, restaurants and religious places in the national capital would open from toay after more than two months since the coronavirus-induced lockdown was imposed, but banquet halls and hotels would remain closed.
At an online briefing yesterday, Kejriwal said hotels and banquet halls might be converted into hospitals in the coming days to treat coronavirus patients and therefore, they would remain shut. (PTI)
