Coronavirus Lockdown: Home Ministry has extended the nationwide lockdown to June 30 (File)
Salons, beauty parlours and supermarkets can open during the fifth phase of the coronavirus lockdown provided they follow recommended precautionary measures, the Uttar Pradesh government said Sunday evening as it extended the shutdown in its territory to June 30.
The Delhi-Noida border, closed since April to prevent the spread of the virus, will remain sealed, the Noida district administration said Sunday evening, pointing out that 42 per cent of infections in the area had been tracked back to Delhi.
Uttar Pradesh has also allowed buses (intra-state only), taxis, autos and e-rickshaws to operate, provided they accommodate only as many people as there are seats in the vehicle; this means there can be no standing passengers.
All markets have been allowed to re-open from 9 AM to 9 PM on alternate days, weekly markets are allowed in rural areas, and supermarkets can open on condition they follow social distancing and take all other precautionary measures.
Staff at salons and beauty parlours must wear face shields and gloves while working.
Government offices will operate with 100 per cent of workforce but with staggered timings - 9 AM to 5 PM, 10 AM to 6 PM and 11 AM to 7 PM.
The relaxations come a day after the Home Ministry extended the nationwide lockdown to June 30, while also announcing "Unlock 1" - a three-stage re-opening of previously banned activities, including malls, restaurants and places of worship from June 8 outside containment zones.
Uttar Pradesh will follow the centre's guidelines on this and allow places of worship, hotels, restaurants and malls in least-affected areas of the state to re-open.
In its notification the Home Ministry had also said activities such as the re-opening of gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, schools and international flights may happen from July based on feedback from state/union territory governments and stakeholders.
Uttar Pradesh has 7,445 COVID-19 cases so far, including 201 deaths and 2,834 active cases. Over 4,000 people have been discharged after receiving treatment.
The centre's revised lockdown guidelines come amid a worrying surge in COVID-19 cases across the country; over 8,000 new infections were reported in 24 hours, according to government data this morning, and there are nearly 1.82 lakh cases in India.