Coronavirus India Highlights: More Relaxations As Government Announces Lockdown Till June 30

More than 6 million coronavirus cases confirmed worldwide, news agency AFP reported.

Coronavirus: 252 new COVID-19 cases reported in Rajasthan, total cases rise to 8,617
With 252 new COVID-19 cases reported in Rajasthan on Saturday, the total number of coronavirus cases in the state has risen to 8,617.

According to the state Health Department, there are 2,685 active cases and 5,739 patients have recovered of which 5,079 patients have been discharged.

With nine deaths due to COVID-19 reported in the state in the last 24 hours, the death toll has risen to 193.

Highest spike of 1,163 COVID cases in Delhi takes total to over 18,000
The number of containment zones in Delhi increased to 122 on Saturday.

246 new COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh
With 246 new COVID-19 cases reported in Rajasthan on Saturday, the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the state has risen to 7,891.

The state Health Department said that 4,444 patients have been cured and discharged.

Nine deaths due to COVID-19 were reported in the state on Saturday taking the total death toll to 343.

Total number of coronavirus positive cases in Mumbai now 38,220

Coronavirus: 32 new COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh
A total of 32 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 447 in the state, Chhattisgarh health department said.

One death was also reported in the state.

"With the new cases coming in, there are 344 active cases in the state now," the Department of Health said.

390 Domestic Flights Carried Over 35,000 Passengers On Saturday Till 5PM: Minister
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that a total of 390 domestic flights carrying 35,293 passengers operated in India till 5 PM on Saturday.

Domestic services were suspended in India due to a coronavirus lockdown and resumed after a gap of two months on Monday. Indian carriers operated a total of 1,827 flights till Thursday -- 428 on Monday, 445 on Tuesday, 460 on Wednesday and 494 on Thursday. Puri said 513 domestic flights carrying 39,969 passengers operated on Friday.

New Lockdown Guidelines: Read Government's Full Guidelines Here
The nationwide coronavirus lockdown has been extended to June 30, the centre said today and released a list of new guidelines for the fifth phase. Dubbing it "Unlock 1", which will have an economic focus", the home ministry said prohibited activities will be opened in a phased manner outside containment zones.

Centre's Nudge To Employers To Have Workers Use Aarogya Setu In New Rules
Aarogya Setu, the contact-tracing app the centre has pushed in its fight against coronavirus, found a mention in the new guidelines released by the home ministry as the lockdown eases.

Although not mandatory, the centre wants companies on their "best effort basis" to ensure the app is installed by employees having compatible phones. Staggering work hours are allowed in offices, shops, markets, and industrial areas however work from home is encouraged, the centre said in its order.

Saying that the app acts as a shield for individuals and the community, the centre reiterated that Aarogya Setu enables early identification of the potential risk of COVID-19 infection. The app evaluates the chances of the user contracting the virus based on location, medical and travel history. Read More

Decision On Reopening Schools In July After Assessing Situation: Centre
The government today said schools, colleges, coaching centres and other educational institutions will be reopened after discussing the coronavirus situation with the states and Union Territories in July.

"Schools, colleges, educational, training, coaching institutions... will be opened after consultation with states and UTs (Union Territories). State governments and UT administrations may hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on reopening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July, 2020," the Home Ministry said in a statement.

The Health Ministry will make a list of standard operating procedure in consultation with other ministries and departments related to education to ensure social distancing and contain the spread of COVID- 19, the government said in the statement today.

The Home Ministry said all activities will be allowed in areas outside containment zones, except for a select few like malls and restaurants that will reopen in phases and some for which no decision has been taken yet. Read More

New Coronavirus Guidelines: 10 Things To Know
10 Facts On Centre's COVID Directives


Social distancing: Individuals must maintain distance of 6 feet in public places. Shops will ensure physical distancing among customers and will not allow more than five persons at one time.
Consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco in public places prohibited.
Staggering of work/business hours should be followed in offices
Social distancing: All persons in charge of work places will ensure adequate distance between workers, adequate gaps between shifts, staggering the lunch breaks of staff etc.

MHA Guidelines On Lockdown Today: Here Are The New Rules
The coronavirus lockdown has been extended till June 30, but malls and restaurants can reopen from June 8 except in containment zones, or areas sealed because of a large number of virus cases. The new guidelines had been issued based on extensive consultations held with States and Union Territories, the home ministry said.

Here are some of the rules under the new guidelines:


- Night curfew has been relaxed, movement will now be prohibited from 9pm to 5am across the country.

- From June 8, places of worship, malls, restaurants and hotels will be allowed to reopen.

- No restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of people or goods. No separate permission required for this.

- Resuming international flight travel, gyms, metro, bars, theatres and swimming pools to be decided after assessment of the situation.  Read

Decision On International Flights, Gyms After First 2 Phases Of Lockdown5
The government today said it will consider restarting international flights, metro trains, cinemas and gyms after the first two phases of lockdown5, which kicks in on June 8 with the opening of places of worship, hotels, restaurants and malls.
The Home Ministry in a statement said based on the situation of the first two phases, the government will decide on the dates for restarting international flights, metro rail, cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, parks, bars, auditoriums and assembly halls.

Regular international and domestic flights were stopped after the lockdown necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in late March. This week, the government allowed domestic flights to resume, but with strict social distancing and safety guidelines.

Coronavirus Lockdown5 News: Malls, Restaurants, Places Of Worship Can Open Starting June 8
The coronavirus lockdown has been extended till June 30, but malls and restaurants can reopen from June 8 except in containment zones, or areas sealed because of a large number of virus cases.

Night curfew timings in lockdown5 will be changed to 9 pm-5 am from the existing 7 pm-7am.

"The current phase of re-opening, Unlock 1, will have an economic focus," said the guidelines.

The new guidelines had been issued based on extensive consultations held with States and Union Territories, the home ministry said.

All activities banned earlier will be opened up in areas outside Containment Zones in a phased manner, with SOPs to be prescribed by the Health Ministry.

A decision on reopening schools and colleges will be taken in July, after consultations with states, parents and other stake-holders. Read More

Coronavirus Lockdown5 Update: No Restriction On Movement Between States In
No separate permission, approval or e-permit will be required for inter-state or intra-state movement of people and goods, the centre said on Saturday, announcing guidelines for Lockdown5. If a state or Union territory decides to regulate movement, it will be required to publicise their decision in advance, it added.

"However, if a state/union territory, based on reasons of public health and its assessment of the situation, proposes to regulate movement of persons, it will give wide publicity in advance regarding the restrictions to be placed on such movements, and the related procedures to be followed," it added.

The centre today extended the coronavirus lockdown till June 30, but said that malls and restaurants can reopen from June 8 except in containment zones, or areas sealed because of a large number of virus cases. Read More

Night Curfew Timings Reduced To 9 PM-5 AM From 7 PM-7 AM In Lockdown5
Night curfew will remain in force from 9 pm to 5 am across the country, the Home Ministry said in a statement, a change from 7 am to 7 pm in lockdown4. People linked to essential services are allowed to move at night.

"Movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 9 pm and 5 am throughout the country, except for essential activities," the Home Ministry said.

"Local authorities shall issue orders in the entire area of their jurisdiction, under appropriate provisions of law, such as under Section 144 of CrPC, and ensure strict compliance," the Home Ministry said.

The centre has allowed several activities to reopen outside containment zones in phases, subject to following social distancing and other safety guidelines. Read More

BREAKING: Madhya Pradesh To Extend Coronavirus Lockdown Till June 15
Madhya Pradesh to extend coronavirus lockdown till June 15, says Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, reports news agency ANI