After a worrisome peak in January, the number of Covid-19 cases is on a decline across the country. The Union Health Ministry on Thursday said that the daily coronavirus cases have reduced to half in the last two weeks. In view of that, several states/union territories have started relaxing the coronavirus-induced restrictions to kick-start the economy. While Rajasthan and Karnataka have lifted night curfews, other states such as Maharashtra and Delhi have relaxed restrictions due to the falling caseload.
Here’s a list of states that recently announced relaxations amid declining infections:
Delhi
Delhi has announced the reopening of schools for all classes from nursery onwards and gyms as well with certain restrictions and drivers traveling alone in cars will be exempted from wearing masks. Night curfew will continue but from 11 pm instead of 10 pm. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) decided to reopen higher education institutions and coaching centers along with schools for classes 9-12 from February 7, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said. At an online briefing, he said the panel has also decided to resume classes from nursery to 8 from February 14.
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government on Monday relaxed Covid-19 restrictions in 11 districts including Mumbai and allowed an increase in the number of guests at marriage functions, and also permitted swimming pools, water parks, theaters and restaurants to remain open with 50 percent capacity subject to nod of the competent authority. However, the new guidelines to ease Covid curbs will only be applicable in those districts where 90% of the people have been administered with single-dose and 70% of people with double dose of vaccination for above 18 years.
As per the order, all national parks, tourist spots and safaris will open as per regular timings with online tickets and the visitors must be fully vaccinated. “Controlling authorities of these activities should impose reasonable restrictions on the number of people to be allowed in such activities at any time in view of Covid 19 pandemic,” according to the order.
West Bengal
The West Bengal government also announced relaxation in Covid curbs as now the night curfew will be in force between 11 pm and 5 am instead of 10 pm-5 am. Restaurants, bars, and cinema halls are allowed to operate at 75% capacity. Parks and tourist places will be reopened with Covid-19 safety protocols.
Moreover, flights from Mumbai and Delhi are allowed to operate daily and UK-Kolkata flights will resume normal operations subject to RT-PCR test report to be carried by passengers.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan has decided to lift night curfew and allow up to 250 people at private and public gatherings. The revised rules will come into effect from February 5. Further, religious places have been permitted to function as per their regular schedule and offerings by devotees will be allowed, it said. Academic activities in the state resumed from February 1 as the government allowed re-opening of classes X to XII. Classes VI to IX will re-open from February 10.
Karnataka
Last week, Karnataka government announced that night curfew will be withdrawn in the state from Monday (January 31) and offline classes will also resume from Monday in the state. Hotels, bars, pubs and clubs can operate at full capacity as against 50% cap. Ban on public functions, rallies and protests will remain in place. For weddings, the state has allowed 300 at venues, raising the ceiling from 200. Meanwhile, cinema halls, gyms and swimming pools will continue to operate at 50% capacity.
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh government announced that it would allow schools to conduct physical classes for students of Classes 9-12 starting from February 3. Relaxations have also been offered to institutions of higher education, coaching classes, libraries, gyms and clubs. The state, however, will continue the statewide night curfew from 10 pm to 6 pm.
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir has reduced the weekly restrictions on non-essential movement by seven hours. The state said that there will be a complete restriction on non-essential movement every Friday from 9 pm to 6 am on Monday.
Night curfew will continue to remain in force in all the districts from 9 pm to 6 am with complete restriction on non-essential movement. Earlier, these restrictions were from Friday 2 pm till Monday 6 am.
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